University of Santo Tomas (UST) bucked an error-marred game to stop fellow contender Adamson University in three tight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in their first game of the UAAP Season 85 boys’ volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena in Manila on Monday, February 13.

After losing the 22-20 advantage on two attack miscues, Ron Poja eventually closed the match with an attack followed by a kill block for the victory.

Still, UST head coach Clarence Esteban rued these errors for what could have been a better-controlled game by his squad.

“‘Yung mga players ko kasi first time maglaro ng UAAP. In-instill ko pa rin sa kanila ‘yung consistency ng team namin,” the Junior Spikers’ mentor admitted.

“Talagang malayo pa. Siguro nga first-game jitters — ayaw ko man sabihin ‘yung ganon — kaya nire-remind ko lang sila lagi na araw-araw tayong nag-eensayo. ‘Yung consistency ‘yung kailangan namin, which is doon kami nagka-problema,” he said.

“Imbes na kontrolado namin ‘yung game, hindi kami makapag-set up. Uulitin lang namin sa players ‘yung kailangan nilang gawin. Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila, stick lang tayo doon sa sistema,” he added.

Fellow contenders Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman and University of the East (UE) also won their respective opening-day assignments to join UST on top, with defending champion Nazareth School of National University taking a bye for the day.

The Baby Tamaraws took advantage of Ateneo de Manila High School’s reception problems to launch a 25-15, 25-16, 25-14 victory with setter Rhodson Du-ot doing the damage by orchestrating FEU’s offense.

On the other hand, the Junior Warriors’ playmakers also stepped up with Grade 9 student-athlete Ralph Andrei Mosuela leading the charge for the 25-13, 25-13, 25-11 victory over De La Salle-Zobel. (ABS-CBN News)