THE UST Golden Spikers booked a spot to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament after outgunning the Adamson Soaring Falcons in four sets, 32-30, 18-25, 25-18, 25-17, on Saturday, April 11, at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
Despite an early exit from setter and team captain Dux Yambao due to a foot injury, the España squad remained in control as reserve setter Joshua Avila tallied 33 excellent sets to book UST’s fourth straight Final Four appearance.
“I think he can play, but the flow of the game was going well, that’s why I didn’t put him back in,” head coach Odjie Mamon told The Flame.
“We still have a goal we have yet to achieve, which is to get the #2 seed. It can still happen, we’re still aiming for that,” he added.
Both teams kept it close in the opening set with kills from Richard Besorio, coupled with unforced errors from UST, propelled Adamson to an early lead, 21-16.
The Golden Spikers then mounted an 8-3 blitz led by Josh Ybañez to tie at 24-all. A dump ball from Gboy De Vega eventually sealed the extended set to give UST, 32-30.
The San Marcelino-squad found the upper hand midway through the second salvo, as a quick attack from Leo Coguimbal gave the Falcons a slim lead, 18-15.
Adamson continued to strum the chords, as back-to-back points from Zyron Ornos capitalized a 4-0 run and claimed a 25-18 set win to tie the match.
Momentum shifted in the España side in the third set, as Ybañez blasted a kill from the right flank to cap off a 4-0 run and extend UST’s lead, 16-9.
UST continued playing their tunes, as an off-the-block hit from de Vega gave UST a two-set to one lead and place Adamson at the brink, 25-18.
The Golden Spikers remained roaring in the fourth set, as a kill from Vry Catinsag off the combination play pushed UST’s lead further, 17-11.
Despite two straight errors that trimmed the Falcon’s deficit, UST remained in control as a quick hit from Trevor Valera sealed the victory, 25-17.
Ybañez led UST to victory with 24 points built on 20 attacks, two service aces, and a block, while de Vega followed it up with 12 attacks, three service aces, and a block.
Richard Besorio paced Adamson in the loss with 18 points off 17 attacks and an ace, while Coguimbal chipped in eight markers.
The Golden Spikers will look to add to their winning streak when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F
