Junior Tigers clobber Baby Tams

by Cyreel Gian Zarate

The UST Junior Tiger Spikers drew first blood in their opening game against Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 25-18, in the best-of-three finals round of UAAP Season 80 junior men’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena, Monday, Nov. 27.

Only up by 15-12 in the fourth set, UST's one-two punch of Efraim Dimaculangan and Rey Miguel De Vega was too much for FEU, scoring 8 of the last 10 points for the Junior Tigers to deliver the goods, 25-18.

UST now leads the series with 1-0, and they are one win away to claim their first-ever title in juniors division.

UST Head Coach Clarence Esteban still doesn't let his guard down despite their momentous victory.

"Alam naman nating lalaban at lalaban sila [FEU]," Esteban said. "We just have to expect kung ano yung changes or magiging iba sa mga gagawin nila."

Down 15-18 at the first set, UST regained the momentum with a 7-1 surge, 22-19, courtesy of couple of service aces and cross court kills by De Vega that were too hot to handle for FEU. De Vega would seal the deal with another cross court attack, 25-23.

De Vega led UST with 18 points, while Dimaculangan and Requinton contributed 13 apiece.

UST will try to close out the series in Game 2 next Monday, Dec. 4 at the same venue, against the Baby Tamaraws.