The Tigers improve to a 9-1 win-loss record.
Sleep-deprived and all, Josh Ybanez came out of the gates firing for the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers in a 25-21, 23-25, 30-28, 29-27 win over on De La Salle University Green Archers in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday.
Ybanez battered the Green Archers with 25 points on 24 attacks as UST made up for its 48 errors with tremendous firepower.
“For me mind over matter lang. Hindi ko inisip na puyat ako or may nararamdaman ako. Kapag nasa court ako, lalaban at lalaban ako,” Ybanez said as the Tigers claimed their ninth win in 10 games. He didn't mention why he's sleepless. Although, the UST-La Salle game ended almost at 10 p.m..
Ybanez fought on when the Archers were threatening to extend the game into a fifth set. The rookie scored back-to-back kills, including a facial on Paul Serrano to give UST a 27-26 advantage.
But while the Tigers’ offense was on point, it was defense that gave them the victory as GBoy de Vega denied an attempt by John Mark Ronquillo.
De Vega and Rainier Flor had 15 points each for UST.
With the loss, La Salle now holds a pedestrian 5-5 record.
Ronquillo finished with 20 points. Noel Kampton had 16 but committed the costly service error that put UST at match point. Vince Maglinao scored 10.
Earlier in the day, University of the East Red Warriors ended their despair with a 19-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10 win over Far Eastern University Tamaraw.
JM Andaya led UE with 17 points, none bigger than the ace that put the team’s six-game losing streak to a screeching halt. The team now holds a 3-7 win-loss record.
Giles Torres added 14 points while John Paul Mangahis and Ken Culabat scored 13 each.
Meanwhile, FEU wasted Mark Calado’s game-high 23 points and fell to a 6-4 card.