By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers continued their mastery over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-11 straight-set romp in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Negrense JayRack dela Noche tallied 14 points built on 12 attacks and two blocks as the Golden Spikers notched their fourth consecutive win to improve to a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Rookie JJ Macam continued his stellar showing with 15 points built on 10 attacks, three aces and two blocks with six excellent receptions and two excellent digs.
Paul Colinares chipped in 14 points from seven attacks, four aces and three blocks for UST.
The victory also extended UST’s dominance over UP, marking their seventh straight win against the Fighting Maroons — a streak that dates back to a first-round victory in Season 81 in 2019.
“I think the players are enjoying themselves now playing with each other,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said after the game.
“Mataas ‘yung confidence level nila ngayon, kaya I’m very happy. Kahit sino ilagay ko, kaya nilang mag-deliver,” he added.
After two competitive first sets, the Golden Spikers surged to an 18-8 start in the third set, behind consecutive points from Colinares, Macam and Dela Noche, to quickly take the fight away from the Fighting Maroons.
Kobe Klien Aca-ac top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with six points, while foreign student athlete Olayemi Raheem was held to a season-low three points as they fell to a 1-4 record.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws cruised to their best start in six years after a 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 sweep over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors.
Negrense Benny Martinez distributed the ball with precision, finishing with 10 excellent sets and one point to guide the Tamaraws to a 5-0 win-loss slate, their finest start since UAAP Season 81.
In the women’s division, the UST Golden Tigresses (4-1) prevailed over the UP Fighting Maroons (2-3), 25-11, 25-23, 23-25, 25-12, while the FEU Lady Tamaraws (3-2) turned back the UE Lady Warriors (0-5), 25-23, 25-19, 25-20./ASC, WDJ