UAAP: UST hikes win streak to four after sweeping UE to end first round in men’s play

Josh Ybañez leads UST Golden Spikers to victory anew in UAAP men’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas ended the first round of the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament on a high note after sweeping University of the East, 25-17, 25-21, 25-23, at San Juan Arena on Saturday.

Coach Odjie Mamon said the Golden Spikers are “getting there” after needing only an hour and 14 minutes to fend off the Red Warriors and keep their winning streak alive at four.

“We’re getting there. The first round was the mastery period for us, It was also for getting to know one another, the setters and the attackers. Our defense is also improving a little,” Mamon said in Filipino.

UST was dominant in the first two sets of the match, gaining a 2-0 lead heading into the third and final salvo.

The Red Warriors tried to come back from a 24-20 deficit by scoring three straight kills but Josh Ybañez shut the door on a potential comeback blitz with a back row kill to give UST a 6-1 record.

Following his career-high outing against Ateneo, Ybañez kept up his scoring tirade with 18 points built on six service aces and five digs.

Jay Rack Dela Noche and Edlyn Colinares combined for 18 points, scoring 10 and eight, respectively, for the Golden Spikers.

No Red Warrior scored in double digits in the defeat with Kenneth Culabat finishing with nine markers. John Paul Mangahis tallied eight markers while GBoy De Vega collected 16 excellent receptions with seven points for UE, which dropped to a 2-5 card.