The UST Golden Spikers outlasted the Adamson Soaring Falcons in five sets, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10, to end the first round with back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 16, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Josh Ybañez led UST’s offense, tallying 24 points, while GBoy De Vega added 20 markers.

Jay Rack De La Noche and Paul Colinares also mustered 10 markers as the Golden Spikers improved above .500 with a 4-3 record heading to the second round.

Making up for three straight losses midway through the first round, the Golden Spikers now hold two consecutive victories after winning against the UP Fighting Maroons last Wednesday.

A tight start from both teams in the first set was put to rest when a 5-2 run fueled by Ybañez gave UST a three-point advantage, 25-18.

Adamson bounced back in the second set, leaving UST behind with a 6-1 run fueled by offensive errors from the España-based squad to tie the match up, 25-21.

The Golden Spikers regained composure and used a 9-2 run in the waning moments of the third frame to pull away, 25-19.

After leading 21-19 in the fourth frame, UST squandered the opportunity to finish it in four sets, allowing the Falcons to conjure a 6-2 rally to extend the game in a decider, 25-23.

The Golden Spikers ultimately escaped as they rode a game-winning 13-7 burst to barge into the second round on a high note. An attack error from Adamson's Francis Casas gave the Golden Spikers match point, while a net touch violation from Adamson ultimately sealed the win for UST, 15-10.

Francis Casas scored 15 points off 13 attacks and two blocks, while John Gay tallied 14 points off 12 attacks, one block, and an ace to contribute in the losing effort for the Soaring Falcons.

The schedule for the second round of the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament is yet to be announced.—With reports from Johann Coronel