UAAP: UST Golden Spikers hope to finally get over hump next year

UST Golden Spikers after Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas came up short once again after falling to National University in the UAAP men’s volleyball Finals for the second straight season.

And as Josh Ybañez and the Golden Spikers shed tears after losing to the Bulldogs in Game 2 on Wednesday at the sold-out Mall of Asia Arena, UST coach Odjie Mamon told his wards to “cry if you didn’t give your best. But all of you fought hard so keep your heads up.”

“Heading into the finals was already mission accomplished for us. But I pushed the team to aspire for a higher finish.  We fell short but we’re very happy that we reached the finals and then our new players had their breakout games,” said Mamon in Filipino. “So, for me, it’s a win. Very happy for this season and of course, crowd turnout during the finals both in Games 1 and 2.”

READ: NU Bulldogs beat UST to complete UAAP volleyball ‘four-peat’

Ybañez, who won his second straight UAAP MVP, and fellow UST go-to scorer GBoy De Vega remained proud of their run as they hope to finally get over the hump next year.

“I salute my team after all the hardships we went through from the elimination round to the semis. We’re proud of ourselves,” said Ybañez, who was also named the UAAP 1st Best Outside Hitter for back-to-back seasons.

UST struggled in the elimination round, finishing fourth with an 8-6 record. But their early struggles didn’t stop the Golden Spikers from returning to the finals as they overcame top seed Far Eastern University in the Final Four to become the first No.4 seed in UAAP volleyball to reach the biggest stage.

READ: UST becomes first fourth seed to reach UAAP volleyball finals

“Despite the lots of struggles in the elimination and ended up as the No. 4 team, we still made it to the finals so I think the team really had a good run so I want to congratulate my teammates. We fell short and as coach said, we need more improvements,” De Vega said.

Mamon congratulated NU and coach Dante Alinsunurin for once again proving that they are the gold standard of men’s volleyball with their well-seasoned and tall roster.

“Definitely, for next year, I won’t focus so much on skills and tactics. I’ll work on their mentality and heart. I will figure out how to develop those aspects of their game,” Mamon said.