Winning four straight games, UST looks to gain more momentum in tangling with the UP Fighting Maroons in the final elimination round week of UAAP Season 87.
Red-hot UST guns for a fifth successive win as the Golden Spikers meet the skidding UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday, April 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
Game time is at 9:00 a.m.
UST, who is in joint-third with the DLSU Green Spikers in the team standings behind their identical 8-4 records, returns from a week-long Holy Week break aiming to sustain their fiery form.
A dominating 25-20, 25-17, 25-20 dismissal of the winless UE Red Warriors helped the Golden Spikers notched their eight victory in the competition.
With a little help from the NU’s win over Ateneo, the Golden Spikers secured a Final Four berth for a third consecutive year.
Against UP, two-time MVP Josh Ybañez powered through with a team-high 15 points while Paul Colinares chipped in 12 markers.
Jayrack Dela Noche and rookie JJ Macam combined for 16 points as team captain Dux Yambao dished out 17 excellent sets to orchestrate the Golden Spikers’ offense.
“I think yung preparation namin ngayon over our win streak, it’s geared to our specific opponent na. Nung first round kasi, puro kami internal preparations lang. Pero this time, we try to match up. May mga lapses, pero thankful na nafa-follow naman 'yung game plan,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon told reporters in the post-game press conference.
The España-based squad will conclude their elimination round campaign on Sunday, April 27 in a Finals rematch with the four-time defending champion NU Bulldogs.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]