Tiger Spikers dismantle UE, extend win streak to six
by TomasinoWeb
The UST Tiger Spikers captured their sixth-consecutive win via a four-set dance with the UE Red Warriors, 28–26, 25–16, 20–25, 25–22, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the MOA Arena in Pasay, Wednesday morning.
The Tiger Spikers improved to an 8–1 standing on top of a sixth-consecutive winning streak, while the Red Warriors fell to their sixth-straight losing skid at 2–7.
The teams battled it out right off the bat to give an intense, close match where UE reached set point first, 24–23. But the Tiger Spikers held on to escape with the opening set, 28–26.
Unlike the first set, UST pushed the pace and took control of the match as they wrapped up the second set swiftly, 25–16, to secure a much-needed 2–0 cushion in set count.
However, the Red Warriors did not give up easily as they stole the third set by a decent margin, 25–20, to extend the match with a possible fifth-set showdown on the horizon.
Alas, the Tiger Spikers extinguished UE’s hopes but not without a fight until the end as the duel ended with a 25–22 turnout.
In the post-game conference, UST head coach Odgie Mamon and star player Josh Ybañez acknowledged their problematic number of errors despite taking home the win.
“Naitawid pa rin namin pero hindi yun ang pinakamagaling na performance namin,” the Tiger Spiker standout said.
“36 errors, on an average 9 errors per set pa rin,” Mamon said.
The Tiger Spikers’ 36 free points off unforced errors were massive compared to UE’s 19, but outgunned them in the attacking department, 63–41.
Ybañez led UST with 23 markers off 20 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace, while Gboy De Vega contributed in both ends with 17 points, 17 received, and five digs.
For the Red Warriors, Kenneth Culabat and Giles Torres notched 12 points apiece in the losing effort.
UST will look to extend their hot streak as they face the DLSU Green Spikers next on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
