By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers gained revenge over first-round tormentor Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles with a 26-24, 25-17, 25-22 sweep in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, April 5.
Negrense JayRack de la Noche finished with nine points, on seven attacks and two blocks, to go with two excellent digs as the Golden Spikers notched their third consecutive win to improve to a 7-4 win-loss slate.
“Thankful ako sa mga players, nag-respond sila, na-execute ‘yung plano. May lapses pero understandable,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said after the match.
“‘Yung last part nga ng first set, may slip ups pero kalma lang and nakapag-execute kami,” he added.
Josh Ybañez uncorked 24 points on an efficient 20-of-33 spiking rate along with three aces and a block to lead UST, while Popoy Colinares added 13 points on seven attacks and six blocks.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip na once na nasa loob ako ng court, I have to do something na makapag-contribute ako ng marami sa team in all aspects,” Ybañez said in a post-game presser.
“Hindi lang dapat sa attacking pero pati sa dig, receive and maraming department ng volleyball, especially sa block kasi doon ako mahina,” added the reigning UAAP MVP, whose team lost to Ateneo in the first round, 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25.
Kennedy Batas paced Ateneo with 20 points.
Amil Pacinio added nine points, while Negrense Jian Salarzon struggled with just four points as they dropped to fifth spot with a 6-5 record.
Meanwhile, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers withstood a tough stand from also-ran University of the East Red Warriors for a 30-28, 25-16, 25-22 victory.
Noel Kampton spearheaded the Green Spikers’ offense with 13 points, while Nathaniel del Pilar and MJ Fortuna chipped in eight and seven points, respectively, in two sets played.
Rookie Chris Hernandez also impressed with six points, eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs for DLSU, which tied the UST Golden Spikers in third place with a 7-4 win-loss slate./ASC, WDJ