UST Sweeps UP to Keep Twice-to-Beat Hopes Alive

The University of Santo Tomas kept its hopes alive for the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament with a dominant 25-14, 25-17, 25-16 victory over the University of the Philippines on Sunday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

With their third consecutive win, the Golden Spikers improved to a 9-4 record, remaining in contention for the second spot, currently held by defending champions National University at 10-2. If NU wins its match against De La Salle University (ongoing at the time of posting), the Bulldogs will secure the twice-to-beat incentive and finalize the Final Four matchups.

A win by NU would lock in the postseason pairings: top-seeded Far Eastern University facing fourth-seeded Ateneo de Manila University, while the Bulldogs, with their twice-to-beat advantage, would play the third-ranked Golden Spikers.

“Again, we’re holding onto hope and fighting for that playoff spot with the twice-to-beat advantage. But of course, we can't control that, it's beyond our reach. What I always tell my players is, we do what we can, and we just pray,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.

“Winning in a dominant fashion is great for morale. Apart from that, it's also about building confidence going into the Final Four. Right now, I'm letting the players enjoy and explore, but everything should still be under control,” he added.

In the third set, after holding an early 9-6 lead, UP found itself on the receiving end of a UST surge, as the Golden Spikers rattled off a 15-3 run, capped by two aces from Josh Ybañez and a crosscourt hit from JJ Macam to take a commanding 21-12 advantage.

The surge proved crucial, as UST sealed the victory with back-to-back backrow hits from Al-Bukharie Sali and Ybañez, followed by Macam’s game-winning ace, completing the sweep in just 69 minutes.

Two-time MVP Ybañez led the way with 17 points, including nine in the third set, 11-of-21 kills, four aces, and two blocks, along with eight excellent receptions and three excellent digs.

Trevor Valera added 11 points, including eight attacks and three blocks, while Gboy de Vega contributed seven points, four excellent receptions, and two excellent digs.

Vryvin Catinsag and Sali both chipped in six points, while Joncriz Ayco and Macam finished with five points apiece.

Looking ahead, UST will face National University this Wednesday, April 22, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, in a match that could serve as a preview of the Final Four.

Meanwhile, after a strong 2-1 start, the Fighting Maroons suffered a tough 10-game losing streak, finishing Season 88 in last place with a 3-11 record.

Adamson University also ended its campaign with a 3-11 mark but secured the tiebreaker over UP after sweeping both their meetings in the elimination round.

Grayhood Baylon led UP in the loss with nine points on an efficient 8-of-11 attacking clip, while Angelo Lipata added seven points and 14 excellent receptions in his final game for the Fighting Maroons. Nigerian wing spiker Olayemi Raheem, who injured his right foot during the match, finished the season with 282 total points.

UP will look to regroup for Season 89, retaining most of its core, with only Lipata set to graduate.