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Thursday, March 28, 2024

UST catches last bus to volley semis

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UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas outlasted Adamson University 25-20, 25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 15-11, to punch the last ticket to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 80 men’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Arnold Bautista was impressive on both ends of the floor with 17 points and 13 digs, aside from producing the biggest plays for the Growling Tigers in the deciding frame that broke the Falcons’ backs.

“Nag-take charge ‘yung senior kong si Bautista. Kaya confident ako sa fifth set na nandoon si Bautista sa loob,” said UST coach Odjie Mamon.

Jao Umandal took the scoring mantle for the Tigers with 21 points, while Jan Carodan and Manuel Medina added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Making its second straight Final Four appearance, UST will take on top-ranked National University in the semifinals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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The other Final Four pits No. 2 Far Eastern University and defending champion Ateneo on Saturday also at the same Pasay venue.

By finishing in the top two, the Bulldogs and the Tamaraws need only to win once against their lower-ranked foes to arrange a best-of-three title showdown.     

The Tigers, the second winningest team with 19 crowns, will not just be contented of making it to the Final Four.

“We will prepare for NU. Mahirap na lang yung laro na lang at participation lang kami sa Final Four. Hopefully, we can give them a good fight. Siyempre, hoping against hope manalo kami,” said Mamon.

“Ang tagal na kaming hindi naglalaro sa championship. Nandoon rin ‘yung wish ko makalaro ang FEU sa championship,” he added, referring to UST’s biggest volleyball rival.

JP Yude tallied 20 points, 14 excellent receptions and 10 digs, while libero Rence Melgar collected 21 digs and 18 excellent receptions in their swan song for Adamson University.

The Falcons also lost to the Tigers last Saturday that forced the playoff for the No. 4 spot.

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