UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — University of the East hardly missed a beat from a three-year hiatus as it swept Adamson, 25-18, 25-22, 25-14, in the return of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Kenneth Culabat and JM Andaya led the way for the Red Warriors with 14 points each as the latter displayed a tremendous floor with 16 receptions and seven digs.
UE last beat University of the Philippines in five sets during its second game of Season 82 last March 7, 2020, at the same venue.
“We need to set the tone this season. Getting this first win, although it was hard, but this will be a morale booster,” said UE assistant coach Jumbo Dimaculangan in Filipino as he called the shots for head coach Jerome Guhit, who is in Taiwan with the men’s national team.
“It was surprising to beat Adamson [in straight sets] knowing they are Final Four contenders. But good thing our team received well so our passing was the key element for us to execute our plays and make life easier for our attackers.”
Lloyd Josafat, who just arrived on Friday from the Philippine men’s volleyball pool’s training camp in Taiwan, came off the bench in the second set and finished with 10 points built on eight attacks, one block, and an ace.
“Being part of the national pool is a big help and a huge confidence booster for me. So when I returned here, I brought my attitude from the national team so all of us will click,” said Josafat in Filipino.
Setter Ralph Imperial also shone with 20 excellent sets, as Giles Torres and John Paul Mangahis added 10 points each.
No one from the Falcons scored in double figures with Evander Novillo, Jude Aguilar, Joshua Magalaman, and Francis Casas having eight points each.
Adamson coach George Pascua’s return to the UAAP men’s volleyball got spoiled as his team was dominated in attacking, 36-54.