Photo from V-League Facebook
THE UST Golden Spikers’ finals hopes were dashed after bowing to the FEU Tamaraws in straight sets, 23-25, 27-29, 25-19, in their do-or-die semifinal clash in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
The Tamaraws built a late cushion behind Lirick Mendoza’a off-the-block attack, 19-14.
UST clawed back with a crucial block from Josh Ybañez to cut the deficit, 22-18.
Doula Ndongala’s kill handed FEU set point at 24-20, but Ybañez answered with back-to-back hits to trim the gap to 24-23.
However, Amet Bituin’s attack, initially called out was overturned handing FEU the opening set, 25-23.
Both teams went toe-to-toe throughout the frame, trading quick hits and blocks in a seesaw battle that saw the score knotted at 20-all.
UST briefly gained the upper hand when Vryvin Catinsag’s roof on Mendoza gave them set point at 24-23.
FEU quickly countered with clutch hits from Luis Miguel and Mikko Espartero to tie it at 25-all.
The Tamaraws then capitalized on a costly UST double contact violation and an outside hit from Gboy de Vega to escape, 29-27, and grab the two-set lead.
FEU quickly wrested control in the third set behind Mendoza’s net defense and Espartero’s consistent firepower, 7-4.
A mid-set surge capped by a Dryx Saavedra crosscourt put the Tamaraws up, 15-11, before a series of UST miscues widened the gap to 19-13.
Despite late efforts from Ybañez and Macam to keep UST within reach, Bituin piled on with a block and consecutive down-the-line kills that stretched the lead to 23-18.
A net violation on Ybañez sealed the deal as the Tamaraws cruised to a 25-19 win and a 3–0 stranglehold.
The Golden Spikers will now turn their focus to the bronze-medal match against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Monday, Oct. 6, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. F
