Games Saturday
(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, Manila)
9 a.m. – UST vs UE (men’s)
11 a.m. – UST vs UE (women’s)
3 p.m. – NU vs UP (men’s)
5 p.m. – NU vs UP (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Josh Ybañez put on another stellar show and helped power host University of Santo Tomas to a dramatic 19-25, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11 win over Ateneo for their second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Atoning for a lackluster start, the two-time MVP spearheaded the Golden Spikers’ assault in the fourth and fifth where he scored timely kills to complete their comeback from a 1-2 set deficit in their two-hour, 16-minute clash.
The Alas Pilipinas ace finished with 29 points off 27 attacks and two aces on top of 19 excellent receptions and four excellent digs, while JJ Macam chipped in 12 points.
Joncriz Ayco and Trevor Valera also impressed by adding nine and six points, respectively.
Ybañez highlighted his game-long brilliance with a crucial hit that broke a 24-24 deadlock in the fourth.
With the win, the España-based squad boosted its tally to 2-1, while Ateneo slipped to 1-2 despite Emmanuel Okeke’s superb outing.
Okeke faced Ateneo with 26 points along with 10 excellent receptions, and five digs, while Jian Salarzon contributed 17 points, 17 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs. Amil Pacinio and Brian Castro combined for 24 points in a losing cause.
“The instruction I gave after we lost the opening set was dahan dahan lang [tayo], [particularly in regaining] their confidence. Hindi ko pinabayaan si [JJ] Macam na mawala talaga ‘yung confidence niya, I kept him on and off the court to regain that,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.
Ateneo’s 39 errors also helped make UST job a lot easier. The España-based squad had only 30 miscues.
Dux Yambao shone anew with 24 excellent sets with three points and four digs, while Kalel Legaspi listed six digs and 10 receptions for UST, which goes for its third consecutive triumph against University of the East this Saturday, Feb. 28.
Meanwhile, Raheem Olayemi continued his scoring spree with 29 points to anchor University of the Philippines past De La Salle, 25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, and score a rebound win.
After yielding to the Blue Eagles in their last game, the Fighting Maroons moved on quickly and flexed their might in the first two sets before denying the Green Spikers in the fourth with Olayemi and Milven Francisco carrying the load.
“I’m so happy with our team, we took the responsibility, and I’m happy [we get the victory],” said Olayemi, who finished with 29 points on 25 attacks, three blocks, and one ace to improve UP’s slate to 2-1.
Their win resulted in a three-way tie in the standings with reigning champion National University and UST, while La Salle, which was powered by Issa Ousseini’s 14 and Uriel Mendoza’s 13, dropped to 0-3 hole.
The Fighting Maroons take on the Bulldogs next this Wednesday, at the same UST venue. La Salle, on the other hand, collides with the Blue Eagles Sunday, March 1, at the Big Dome.
