THE UST Golden Spikers extended their winning streak to four with a 25-16, 25-20, 25-22 sweep of the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 7, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST improved to 4-1 in the standings, while Adamson fell to 1-4.
“We’re 4-1, but performance-wise, there were a lot of shortcomings, I don’t know what happened,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said postgame.
Team captain and setter Dux Yambao anchored the Golden Spikers to victory with 21 excellent sets.
The España-squad created momentum out of Adamson’s early errors, as Josh Ybañez lasered a kill off the block to get a 19-10 cushion.
Adamson remained lost on offense, as it committed their 11th error at the service line to hand UST the first set, 25-16.
The Falcons retaliated midway through the second set, as a dump from RJ Obeda trimmed their deficit to three, 18-15.
UST stayed in control, however, as a crosscourt kill from Macam placed Adamson at the brink of a sweep, 25-20.
Both teams exchanged blows entering the third frame, but a quick hit from Ybañez from the left flank, followed by another Adamson error, gave UST a slim edge, 16-11.
Despite a late 3-0 rally from Adamson, a service error ultimately sealed UST’s fourth straight win.
Two-time MVP Ybañez topscored for UST with 15 points. Macam added 12 markers, while Trevor Valera had nine.
Richard Besorio paced the Falcons in the losing effort with six attacks and a block, while Andrew Talihuddin added four markers.
The Golden Spikers will look to extend their winning streak to five against the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F
