Despite the absence of two-time MVP Josh Ybañez, the University of Santo Tomas had a good second week in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.

On Wednesday, the Golden Spikers shocked the De La Salle Green Spikers when they swept their game, 3-0, in a match expected to go the distance. After three days, the University of Santo Tomas swept the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 3-0, to rise to the second of the standings at three wins and one loss. *For the latest updates on the tournament, including the full schedule, standings, and results, check out our page on https://www.rebanse.ph/uaap-season-87-mens-volleyball-schedule-standings-results/

Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws remain unbeaten as they defeated the gritty Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 3-1, on Sunday, March 3.

Here are the other things you missed on the third weekend of the UAAP Volleyball Tournament.

21, 21

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws had an explosive duo in Miko Espartero and Dryx Saavendra as they scored 21 points apiece in their 25-23, 32-30, 23-25, 25-15 win against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.

Middle attacker Doula Ndongala contributed 10 points, while Charles Absin and Jelord Talisayan combined for 13 points. On the side of the Blue Eagles, Kennedy Batas was his usual self, delivering 22 points. Jetlee Gopio and Brian Castro had 12 points apiece, while Jian Salarzon added 10.

It was a sweet victory for the Tamaraws as some of their players fell ill and underwent isolation before rejoining their practice. Their head coach, Eddison Orcullo, was on crutches after his surgery on his left Achilles.

Tamaraws assistant coach Rene Dulay said, “Actually, nag-undergo ang team sa struggle these past few days. May mga nagkasakit talaga pero nevertheless, with the guidance ni Lord, tapos ‘yung support sa amin, talagang ipinakita namin na kailangan namin itong game na ito kasi kung magpapabaya kami, sayang ‘yung 3-0 standing namin.”

17, 4

After being limited to just six points in their match against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, De La Salle University Green Spikers ace player Noel Kampton delivered 21 points off 17 attacks and four aces in La Salle’s 23-25, 25-13, 26-24, 25-15 win against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Kampton had much-needed help from Glen Ventura, who contributed 14 points. On the side of the Fighting Maroons, Olayemi Raheem fired 18 big points, while Angelo Lagando added 11 markers.

Ventura was the spark off the bench, and he acknowledged after the game that their long towards their goal is still long and hard. He said, Lahat naman kami working hard every training. Marami pa kaming dadaanan na pagsubok pero I think matatag naman ‘yung chemistry namin so hopefully we can overcome these obstacles.”

17

The National University Bulldogs recorded 17 block points in their 25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 25-15 win against the University of the East Red Warriors. Leo Ordiales led the defending champions with 18 points.

Buds Buddin contributed 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Leo Aringo added 15. In the side of the Red Warriors, Roy Piojo fired 18 points while John Aligayon had 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

According to Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin, his team was still down, especially after their shocking loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. He said, “Umpisa pa lang, kahit nakuha namin ‘yung first set, dama pa rin namin ‘yung nangyari nung last game namin. Even sa first practice namin after FEU, medyo mabigat. Buti na lang nung fourth set, nakita ko na nakabalik na kami kasi ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung gusto namin mangyari sa loob ng court.”

4

Four players from the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers scored in double digits in their 25-18, 25-15, 25-23 win against the Adamson University Falcons. Outside spikers Jan Julian Macam and Alche Gupiteo shared the scoring load with 13 points apiece.

Jay Rack de la Noche contributed 11 points, while Popoy Colinares added 10. On the side of the Soaring Falcons, no players scored in double digits as Jude Aguilar and Marc Kenneth Paulino were limited to seven points apiece.

For Gupieto, they won the game because they were playing “happy,” compared to the first few games of the season. He said, “Nagtiwala lang po kami sa isa’t isa at naging mature kami sa loob ng court. Factor din po na naglaro kami nang masaya kasi nung third set po, malungkot ‘yung umpisa. Kumbaga ‘yung happiness po namin ang nag-push sa amin sa victory.”

17, 16

Before their straight-set loss against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons won against the University of the East Red Warriors, 27-29, 25-23, 25-20, 25-17. The win also stopped the team’s eight-game losing streak, the first under head coach Raffy Mosuela.

Jude Aguilar erupted for 17 points on 14 attacks and three blocks, while Leo Coguimbal contributed 16 points on six attack points, eight block points, and two aces. For the side of the Red Warriors, John Steve Aligayon scored a game-high 23 points while Roy Piojo added 17 markers.

Coach Mosuela said after the game, “Masaya ako sa first win ko as head coach ng Adamson. Worth it yung aral namin doon sa ginawa namin sa kalaban. Nung first set namin, automatic na at kitang kita naman sa result na ang daming unforced errors. Ang tagal uminit nung bata kaya nung second set, na-realize nila na kaya naman tayo natalo is dahil sa errors natin. Hindi talaga nakapuntos yung kalaban.”

3-0

The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers only needed an hour and 11 minutes to defeat the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16, on February 26. Popoy Colinares was the player of the game as he scored 17 points on 11 spikes, five blocks, and an ace.

Jay Rack de la Noche had 12 points, while Jan Julian Macam contributed 10 points. On the side of the Green Spikers, no players scored in double digits as Eric Layug, Noel Kampton, Michael Fortuna, and Chris Hernandez were limited to six points apiece.

According to Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon, the team’s performance, especially the players on the bench, should speak for itself. He said after the game, “The result speaks for itself when it comes to our depth. Bukod doon, yung preparation din namin, so kahapon, maganda yung mood nila. Hanggang ngayon, nai-extend nila yung good vibes sa court at magaan sila maglaro.”

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