UAAP: UST gains solo fourth, beats Adamson in men’s volleyball

UST’s Josh Ybanez tries to score against three Adamson blockers in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball second round.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers picked up where they left off as they resumed their UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball campaign with a 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23 win over the Adamson Falcons on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Coming off a huge five-set win over defending champion National University before the Holy Week break, UST banked on reigning MVP Josh Ybañez, who delivered another all-around game with 25 points, 27 excellent receptions, and 12 digs.

Ybañez put on the finishing touches in the fourth when Adamson threatened to force a decider as they improved to a 6-4 record for solo fourth place.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

Gboy de Vega backstopped Ybañez with 18 points. Jay Rack Dela Noche chipped in 14 points, while Rainer Flor added 10 points as the UST coaches want more improvement heading to their last four games in the elimination round.

“Yung first two sets maganda yung galaw ng mga bata pero yung succeeding sets medyo nawala sa focus. Ganunpaman, pinagpapasalamat pa rin namin kasi sa latter part ng fourth set na-organize ulit sila,” said Golden Spikers deputy coach Ben Mape, speaking for Odjie Mamon.

Adamson dropped to 4-5 as Marc Paulino led the way with 16 points. Francis Casas and Jude Aguilar had 13 and 12 points, respectively. Libero Lorence Canlas contributed 29 receptions and 14 digs.

NU Bulldogs’ Jade Disquitado.–UAAP PHOTO

Meanwhile, NU vented its ire on the University of the East, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22, to rise to solo second place with an 8-2 card behind league leader Far Eastern University (7-1).

Jade Disquitado led the Bulldogs’ bounce back with 16 points on 13-of-24 attacking clip, while Leo Aringo also had an efficient 12-of-18 attacking clip to finish with 15 points.

“Sobrang naging maganda yung laro namin dahil team effort talaga. Kahit sino yung ipinasok ko nag-deliver,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Michaelo Buddin, the Season 85 2nd Best Outside Spiker, returned from a fractured right hand, nailing 3-of-7 attacks and six excellent receptions in his limited action in the last two sets.

“Welcome back to Buddin, sabi ko naman after nung game namin sa UST unti-unti ko na siyang ibabalik. Sana magtuloy tuloy lang yung sa ginagawa niyang sakripisyo,” said Alinsunurin.

UE slid to a 1-8 record with Steven Aligayon carrying the squad with 12 points.