THE UST Golden Spikers saw their five-game winning streak snapped after falling to the unbeaten FEU Tamaraws in four sets, 28-30, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22, to close the first round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the defeat, UST dropped to the third seed with a 5-2 slate, while FEU completed a first-round sweep to stay at the top of the standings.
Two-time MVP Josh Ybañez led the offense for UST with 21 points on 20 attacks and an ace, followed by JJ Macam with 13.
“In the third and fourth sets, the team was no longer as cohesive,” UST team captain Dux Yambao told The Flame.
“The players started dwelling too much on their errors…it seemed like they were starting to doubt themselves,” he added.
Five Tamaraws finished in double digits, with Lirick Mendoza and Dryx Saavedra scoring 17 points each, while sophomores Mikko Espartero and Amet Bituin added 14 and 12 markers, respectively. Charles Absin chipped in 10.
The opening set saw the Golden Spikers trailing early until it turned the tables midway through the frame with a 4-0 run capped by an Espartero error, 16-14.
After reaching set point, FEU mounted a 4-0 run to threaten the set, but UST held its ground and sealed the frame with a hit off-the-block from Ybañez, 30-28.
The Morayta squad had a sluggish start but eventually recovered in the second frame, with spark plug middle blocker Absin providing key plays to snatch an 18-17 edge.
UST then struggled to find their rhythm offensively against FEU’s net defense, as Saavedra tied the match with a smart push, 25-22.
The third set began tight early before the Tamaraws regained momentum behind a blistering 9-1 blitz, highlighted by back-to-back points from Mendoza for a 19-12 advantage.
FEU secured the third set after Igi Umandal’s attack went out, 25-17.
In the final frame, both teams refused to pull away, with the Golden Spikers holding a slim advantage midway after Valera’s quick attack, 18-17.
However, errors piled up for UST down the stretch, allowing FEU to seal the win after Ybañez overcooked his attack, 25-22.
The schedule of the second round is yet to be announced. F
