The UST Tiger Spikers took down the NU Bulldogs in four sets, 25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 26-24, to advance to the PNVF Challenge Cup Finals on Friday, Nov. 24, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The win granted the Golden Spikers the remaining spot in the Challenge Cup Finals, where they will face off the defending champions Cignal HD Spikers.

UST’s star outside hitter Josh Ybañez erupted for 22 points on 19 attacks, two blocks and an ace to lead the Tiger Spikers.

With both squads tied at six in the opening set, the Tiger Spikers expanded their deficit via a 9-4 run, pushing their lead, 15-10.

Up front by two, 19-17, UST conspired a 6-1 blitz to propel them to set point as the Tiger Spikers took control of the first set, 25-18.

The second set saw the Bulldogs taste their first lead of the game in the set, 13-14, before the Spikers regained their advantage and ended the set on a 5-3 spark, 25-22.

Down 1-5 early in the third frame, UST rallied through multiple deadlocks that inched them closer to the NU deficit. However, the Bulldogs’ blockings proved to be too much for the Tiger Spikers, with four blocks from NU over just one UST block in the entire set.

The Bulldogs went on a dominant 6-1 barrage to clinch the set, 20-25.

With UST ahead by four in the fourth set, 18-14, NU catapulted to a commanding 9-3 run, 21-23, inching closer to set point before the Tiger Spikers countered the onslaught, led by Ybañez’s three pivotal attacks to claim match point, 26-24.

The Golden Spikers will face the reigning champions Cignal HD Spikers in their Finals match-up scheduled tomorrow, Nov. 25, at the same venue.