Golden Spikers make volley finals for 1st time in 11 years U

“Naging advantage sa amin [‘yung long preparation] kasi napag-aralan namin ‘yung positioning nila and at the same time napag-aralan din namin ‘yung weaknesses namin, naging strength namin ‘yun,” said UST assistant coach Benjamin Mape.

Ahead by just two in the third set, 21-19, Gboy de Vega and Rainier Flor collaborated to send the Golden Spikers to match point, 24-20. Mark Calado pulled one back for FEU, but Josh Ybañez completed the sweep on a check ball off a combination play.

The Golden Spikers pulled away from a 17-15 count, with Flor, De Vega,

Ybañez, and Dedoroy all chipping in to take the first frame, 25-18.

With the game tied at 22-all, errors doomed the Tamaraws, as Ariel Cacao first committed an overreach violation before Rainier Flor denied Jelord Talisayan for the set point in the second period. Mark Calado’s attempt then went out to give UST the 25-22 tally.

Ybañez backstopped De Vega with 15 points and 13 receptions while Flor and Dedoroy chimed in with 11 points apiece as well.

Calado was the lone Tamaraw in double figures with 12 points, while Jelord Talisayan and Dryx Saavedra managed six and five points, respectively.