By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers cruised to a 25-12, 25-18, 25-18 sweep over the Adamson University Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 2.

Negrense JayRack de la Noche contributed 11 markers, with nine attacks, as the Season 86 runner-up Golden Spikers moved to a share of the No. 3 spot with a 6-4 win-loss slate.

Josh Ybañez finished with 13 points on 12 attacks and a block, to go with nine excellent receptions and two excellent digs.

Rookie Jan Julian Macam added 12 points, with nine attacks, two blocks and a service ace, for the Golden Spikers.

Down 8-11 early in the third set, the Golden Spikers banked on errors from the Falcons and consecutive connections from Ybañez, Macam and De La Noche to clinch a 16-14 advantage.

The Falcons still tried to keep the match close, but the Golden Spikers leaned on attacks from Ybañez and Macam down the stretch to complete the straight-set domination.

Jude Aguilar and Ricardo Obeda, Jr. finished with four markers apiece, while Dan Gutierrez and Joel Menor contributed three points each as the Falcons dropped to a 3-7 mark.

Meanwhile, Noel Kampton spearheaded the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers’ offense as they took down arch-rival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25.

Kampton, who is celebrating his 25th birthday today, finished with a team-high of 27 points from 23 attacks, three blocks and a service ace, as the Green Spikers improved to a 6-4 record in the standings.

Ron Maglinao finished with 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks, along with 20 excellent receptions, while Rui Ventura added 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks for DLSU.

Kennedy Batas led the Blue Eagles with 26 points, 18 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs, while Jian Salarzon delivered 20 points on 16 attacks, two blocks and two aces, along with 32 excellent receptions.

They dropped to a 6-4 mark./ASC, WDJ