The UST Golden Spikers overcame the twice-to-beat advantage of the FEU Tamaraws to advance to the Finals of the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament on Wednesday, May 8.
The University of Santo Tomas is back in the UAAP Finals for the second-straight year after outlasting the top-ranked Far Eastern University in four sets, 25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 26-24, in the Final Four of the Season 86 men's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, May 8.
This is the first time since the Final Four format began where a fourth-seeded team managed to advance to the UAAP Finals.
Down 19-22 in the fourth set, UST roared to the finish in front of 9,385 spectators in the Big Dome, scoring three-straight points, with Paul Colinares' kill block tying the game.
Rookie Andrei Delicana put FEU back in the front after a through-the-block attack, but Sherwin Umandal tied the game once again are a cross-court hit.
The Golden Spikers then took the lead after Gboy De Vega's follow-up hit after Colinares' sharp serve.
A scramble then ensued in the following play, which led to a UST tip which seemingly sealed the win. But after an FEU challenge, a net touch was called on middle blocker Reiniel Flor.
Heading into an extended frame, Umandal connected on an off-the-block attack before De Vega ultimately sealed the Finals-sealing victory for UST with a second off-the-block hit.
Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez paced UST with 19 points on 16 attacks, one block, and two service aces, along with 13 excellent receptions. De Vega likewise had a double-double of 18 points and 13 excellent receptions.
Umandal and Colinares, meanwhile, contributed 16 and 12 markers in the win.
Dryx Saavedra tried his best for FEU with 20 points, while JayJay Javelona added 16 in the loss.
After a clean first set victory for the Golden Spikers, tempers flared in the second set after UST tied the game at 20-all after a rotation error by FEU.
A red card was given to Gboy De Vega, while FEU head coach Edison Orcullo was handed a yellow card, both for misconduct.
This seemingly turned the tides for the Tamaraws, as they went on to snatch the second set.
The Golden Spikers, however, would get their momentum back in the third after De Vega's tremendous effort in an extended set, fueling their run in the fourth as well.
UST will face National University in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 Finals this weekend, a rematch from last year's title series which the Bulldogs won.