UST Golden Spikers rout UE Warriors, near Final Four spot

MANILA, Philippines — UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas inched closer to a UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Tournament Final Four slot with a dominant 25-20, 25-17, 25-20 win over the already-eliminated University of the East on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.With their fourth consecutive win, the Golden Spikers hiked their record to 8-4, further solidifying their hold on solo third in the eight-team field over the DLSU Green Spikers. The victory also reaffirmed their dominance over the Red Warriors after winning their first round match-up last February 22.Alongside La Salle, UST -- an 18-time UAAP men's volleyball champion -- can complete the Final Four picture in the men's division should Ateneo de Manila University fall to defending champion National University tomorrow at the same Cubao venue.However, if the Blue Eagles upset the Bulldogs, the Golden Spikers would need to defeat the UP Fighting Maroons to officially clinch their third consecutive semifinals appearance after the league's eight-day Holy Week break come Wednesday, April 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena."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 naffollow naman yung game plan," UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.("I think our preparation during this win streak is now geared toward our specific opponent. In the first round, we focused only on internal preparations. But this time, we're trying to match up. There were some lapses, but I'm thankful that the game plan was still followed.")While UE remained within striking distance at 20-19 in the third set, an off-the-block hit from two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez and a quick attack from Trevor Valera gave UST a comfortable 22-19 advantage.A kill block by rookie JJ Macam, a Poy Colinares ace, and a down-the-line attack from Jayrack dela Noche sealed the Golden Spikers' eighth win in 12 outings in 84 minutes.A different story was told in the second set as UST raced to an early 13-7 lead, capped by two attack errors from Roy Piojo, a backrow hit from Gboy de Vega, and a block by Poy Colinares, to cruise to a 2-0 set advantage.Ybañez powered the Golden Spikers with 15 points on 15-of-34 attack efficiency with nine excellent receptions and six excellent digs, while Colinares provided 12 points on six attacks, four blocks, and two aces.Dela Noche added 10 points on eight attacks with six excellent digs, while Macam chipped in eight points on six attacks and two blocks with 12 excellent receptions and five digs.Team captain Dux Yambao dished out 17 excellent sets to orchestrate UST's offense.Meanwhile, the defeat sent the Red Warriors to their 13th consecutive loss. They are now on the verge of their first winless UAAP men's volleyball campaign since Season 80 in 2018.Rookie hitter Roy Piojo was limited to eight points on 8-of-37 attack efficiency, while Raquim Aceron struggled with five points on 4-of-26 attack efficiency.UE looks to salvage a breakthrough win against Ateneo to close its Season 87 campaign on Saturday, April 26, also at the same Cubao dome. TMT