The defending champions, the National University Bulldogs, stopped the winning streak of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and avoided the step-ladder format in the post-season.

Despite the loss, the Tamaraws still hold the top spot in the standings with a 9-1 win-loss record, closely followed by the Bulldogs with an 8-2 card. The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles hold the solo third spot with a 6-3 record.

The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers and the De La Salle University Green Spikers are tied with a 5-4 win-loss record, followed by the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 3-7.

The Adamson University Soaring Falcons is at the sevent place with a 2-7 win-loss record, while the University of the East Red Warriors are currently eliminated and sit at the bottom of the standing with zero win and 10 losses.

Here are the other things you missed on last weekend’s UAAP Volleyball Tournament game day.

9-1

The defending champions, the National University Bulldogs, handed the Far Eastern University Tamaraws its first loss of the season and stopped the Morayta-based squad’s nine-game winning streak.

The Bulldogs defeated the Tamaraws in a hard-fought 17-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 15-9 victory on Sunday, March 30. Leo Ordiales led the Bulldogs with 19 points in 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while Buds Buddin had 16 points. Team captain Leo Aringo contributed 14 points, while Rwenzmel Taguibolos added 10.

For the side of the Tamaraws, Zhydryx Saavedra scored 20 points in 18 attacks, a block, and an ace, while Mikko Espartero had 15 points in 13 attacks and two blocks.

After the game, the Bulldogs’ head coach Dante Alinsunurin had nice words to say to his ward as they handed the Tamaraws its first loss, avoiding the step-ladder format in the postseason.

He said, “Sobrang thankful sa sitwasyon namin na kahit down kami ng set, pinilit namin na maibalik ‘yung laro namin, makita ‘yung pasensya namin sa loob ng court. Lumabas ‘yung laro ni Leo [Aringo]. Buti nung huli na-control namin, kami ‘yung nag-dictate ng tempo at nakuha namin ang panalo.”

With the win, the Bulldogs maintained their second spot with an 8-2 win-loss record, while the Tamaraws still hold the first in the ranking with a 9-1 car.

The National University will next face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Sunday, April 6, at 11 am. Earlier that day, the Far Eastern University will take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 9 am.

22

Olayemi Raheem scored 22 points in 21 attacks and a block as he led the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in their 25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21 victory against the University of the East Red Warriors on Sunday, March 30.

Tommy Castrodes added 16 points in 15 attacks and an ace. For the side of the Red Warriors, Raquim Aceron scored a team-high 20 points in 18 attacks and two blocks, while team captain Xjhann Camaymayan had 12. Isaiah Roca and Roy Piojo combined for 21 points.

After the game, Fighting Maroons head coach Carlo Cabatingan held his head above water as they exceeded the team’s two wins from the previous season. He said, “Na-highlight ‘yung lapses namin nung third set, and we were not able to execute. Going to the next, we just got back to the system; as long as we’re in sync, we’re gonna play well naman.”

With the win, the Fighting Maroons rose to the sixth spot with a 3-7 win-loss record, while the Red Warriors are already eliminated from the final four contention as they are still winless at the bottom of the standings with a 0-10 record.

The University of the Philippines will next face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Sunday, April 6, at 9 am. Meanwhile, the University of the East will take on the De La Salle University Green Spikers on Saturday, April 5, at 9 am.

47

The trio of Josh Ybañez, Popoy Colinares, and Jay Rack de la Noche combined for 47 points in the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers’ 25-22, 25-22, 16-25, 25-22 victory against the De La Salle University Green Spikers on Saturday, March 29.

Ybañez led the team with 21 points in 15 attacks and six aces, while Colinares had 15 points in 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. De la Noche contributed 11 points, while Trevor Valera added nine.

For the Green Spikers, Noel Kampton was the lone bright spot as he erupted for 30 points in 27 attacks, two aces, and a block in a losing effort.

After the game, Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon was above the clouds as he received a late birthday present. Mamon celebrated his birthday on Friday, March 28. He said, “Thank you, sa team, for the wonderful birthday present. We’re back sa win column, and about doon sa errors namin – doon sa ending, nahihirapa, nadi-distract to close out the game – ‘yun ‘yung inaayos namin actually for the past week, and I think it was quite a success.”

The Golden Spikers and the Green Spikers are currently tied in the standings with an identical 5-4 win-loss record, with the España-based squad holding the advantage as they won both of their games in the elimination round.

The University of Santo Tomas will face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, April 2, at 11 am. Earlier that day, the De La Salle University Green Spikers will take on their archrivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, at 9 am.

54

The wingers of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles – Kennedy Batas, Jian Salarzon, and Amil Pacinio – combined for 54 points in their 25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-17 win against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Saturday, March 29.

Batas led the Blue Eagles with 20 points in 17 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Salarzon scored 19 in 17 attacks. Pacinio had 15 points. Jude Aguilar again led the Soaring Falcons with 16 points in 13 attacks and three blocks.

After the almost-two-hour game, Blue Eagles head coach Vince Mangulabnan said that he will take the win, regardless of how they achieved it. He said, “Happy ako kasi kahit ilang sets pa ‘yan, basta panalo, panalo sa akin kasi tinrabaho ‘yan ng players. Nagtiwala sila sa amin, nagtiwala kami sa kanila, kaya ito ‘yung nagiging result namin.”

With the win, the Blue Eagles hold the solo third spot with a 6-3 win-loss record, while the Soaring Falcons slid down to the seventh spot with a 2-7 record.

The Blue Eagles will face their archrivals, the De La Salle University Green Spikers, on Wednesday, April 2, at 9 am. Meanwhile, the Soaring Falcons will take on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers later that day at 11 am.

For the latest updates on the tournament, including the full schedule, standings, and results, check out our page at https://www.rebanse.ph/uaap-season-87-mens-volleyball-schedule-standings-results/