AFTER MISSING the podium last year, the UST Golden Spikers romped the Ateneo Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-17, to seal a bronze-medal finish in the 2025 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Team captain Dux Yambao steered the Golden Spikers in their return to the podium with two points and 18 excellent sets.
The Golden Spikers racked up an early lead in the opener after John Catinsag knocked back-to-back quick kills, 9-4.
Ateneo tried to mount a comeback after middle blocker Kristofer Alejos scored a block and a kill to cut the deficit by two, 23-21. But an attack error from opposite spiker Amil Pacinio Jr. gave UST the set, 25-21.
Both teams exchanged blows in the second salvo until the España squad fired a 4-0 barrage, capped by an Al-Bukharie Sali ace to lead the match, 16-13.
UST denied the comeback efforts of Ateneo after a crosscourt kill by Sali set off a 5-1 blitz to take a two-set advantage, 25-19.
Despite an erroneous third set, the Golden Spikers maintained momentum as a backrow kill from JJ Macam widened the gap, 16-9.
Another backrow kill from UST and Alas Pilipinas star Josh Ybañez sealed the match, 25-17.
Ybañez led all scorers with 14 kills, while Sali added nine attacks, two blocks and an ace.
Ateneo team captain Jian Salarzon paced his team in the loss with 10 markers. F
