UE ends 6-game losing streak, keeps slim playoff hopes alive

University of the East snapped a six-game losing streak with a 25-23, 26-24, 20-25, 25-22 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.

The Red Warriors improved to a 2-8 record, tying Adamson for seventh place and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. This win also marked UE’s second victory of the season, their first time winning two matches in a season since Season 85, when they finished 5-9 in sixth place.

“Stick to the basics. I kept shouting on the sideline, telling them to go back to the basics because if we complicate things, it could mix up and we might not execute properly,” said UE assistant coach Jumbo Dimaculangan after the third set. “We just need to go back to the foundation of what we do because the execution will follow.”

After dropping the first two sets in tightly contested battles, Adamson found their rhythm in the third frame, briefly extending the match. However, the Red Warriors remained poised, avoiding a deciding fifth set—unlike their first-round encounter, which ended in a 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 30-32, 15-12 win for UE.

With Adamson’s Joel Menor and Leo Coguimbal narrowing the gap to 22-24 in the fourth set, UE captain Shan Camaymayan sealed the win with a quick kill, securing their second victory of the season.

Roy Piojo continued his strong form since returning from a partial MCL tear, contributing 21 points on 21 attacks, along with eight digs and five receptions. Raquim Aceron also scored 21 points, including 19 spikes and two blocks, and added 23 excellent receptions. Camaymayan chipped in 13 points, with nine attacks and four blocks.

UE will aim to build on their win when they face host University of Santo Tomas on Easter Sunday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Meanwhile, Adamson, now on a three-game losing streak, will look to bounce back against National University on Easter. The Soaring Falcons struggled to get their wing spikers going, with middle blockers Leo Coguimbal and Zyro Ornos leading their scoring with 11 and nine points, respectively.