THE UST Golden Spikers’ hopes of entering the 2025 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge finals remain alive after overcoming the FEU Tamaraws on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
UST relied on the duo of Josh Ybañez and Gboy de Vega to beat FEU in four sets, 25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, to force a do-or-die match.
Ybañez, member of the national team, scored 25 points built on 23 attacks and two service aces. De Vega followed closely with 21 attacks and a block.
The balance between both teams were broken in the opening set when an overcooked kill from Mikko Espartero fueled a 3-0 breakaway for UST, 21-18.
UST maintained their grip against FEU as a down-the-line hammer from Ybañez drew set point while a kill from Sherwin Umandal sealed the set, 25-21.
Offensive woes from the Tamaraws early in the second set enabled the Golden Spikers to take a 11-5 advantage.
An attack from former Tamaraw Andrei Delicana sealed the set for UST, 25-21.
Looking to deny a sweep, Espartero, Luis Miguel and Lirick Mendoza triggered an FEU charge back, 19-19.
Amet Bituin delivered a kill for set point while a mishit from Josh Ybañez took the match to a fourth set, 23-25.
Contributions from Bituin and Doula Ndongala tied the fourth frame at 22-all.
However, a kill by Ybañez off the hands of FEU along with a tip over sealed the match for UST, 25-23.
Espartero paced FEU with 14 points,while Ndongala notched 12 points.
The Golden Spikers will try to get a finals berth against the Tamaraws on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Ynares Center in Rizal. F
