One can never count out UST.

The UST Golden Spikers swept the top-seeded FEU Tamaraws, 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, in their Final Four matchup in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament on Sunday, May 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the win, the Golden Spikers forced a do-or-die match against the Tamaraws, compromising their twice-to-beat advantage.

Reigning MVP and this season’s top scorer Josh Ybañez showcased his scoring prowess for the Golden Spikers with 16 markers, while Sherwin Umandal and Gboy de Vega provided 14 and 10 points each in the upset victory.

On the other front, Dryx Saavedra led the Tamaraws’ offense with 14 points, while Martin Bugaoan racked up 10 points in the loss.

“During the huddle prior to the match, in-emphasize ko sa players to put some pressure [on] them na do-or-die kami. We lose, that’s it bakasyon na,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon. “Pero if they want to realize their goals, they have to give it their all para we get to live another day.”

A nip-and-tuck first set saw both teams tied apiece, 23-23, before key substitutes Joshua Avila and former national team standout Jay Rack De La Noche clicked for two set-sealing points, 25-23.

Multiple mini-runs by the Golden Spikers kept the España-based squad on the driver’s seat throughout the second set, punctuated by a 9-4 blitz for a two sets to none lead, 25-19.

A 23-21 UST lead in the third set soon vanished after multiple hits by FEU kept them in the match, extending the set, 26-26.

However, the tandem of De Vega and Ybañez connived until match point, closing out a hotly-contested third set to complete the sweep, 28-26.

For Ybañez, confidence despite being the lowest seed in the Final Four proved to be the turning point in the win.

“Sobrang motivated kami ngayon, lalo [na] natalo namin [ang FEU] in straight sets, pero hindi [namin] gagawin na ma-underestimate sila, [since] may pressure pa [and] gagalingan pa namin,” he said.

The league has yet to announce the second game schedule of the semi-final matchup.