The UST Junior Golden Spikers overcame the NUNS Bullpups in four sets, 18-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19, to snatch the first game of the UAAP Season 87 Boys' Volleyball finals on Wednesday at the Quadricentennial Pavillion.

John Paul Bautista shined for the Junior Golden Spikers, scoring 17 points, through 16 attacks, while Pao Medino and Joncriz Ayco also chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively.

UST started slow in the opening frame, allowing NU to build an eight-point lead. Rainier Lorayes tried to chase the Bullpups' score with two consecutive attacks before Xandrex Ragusta decided to close the set with an exclamation point, 18-25.

The Junior Golden Spikers adjusted their sets and found their groove during the second salvo.

Anchored on Bautista's powerful down-the-line hit, UST embarked on a 5-0 run to establish a comfortable lead, 21-17. Ayco sealed the set with a strong cross-court kill, 25-21.

The Junior Golden Spikers continued to dominate the first half of the third frame, but errors allowed the Bullpups' Matthew Abut to tie the scores at 24.

An attack error from Bautista gave NU their first set point, but Bautista quickly shut the door on Abut to steal the set from the Bullpups before Rain Dela Paz served an ace that gave UST a two-to-one set advantage, 28-26.

UST sustained their momentum and contained NU's attackers with a block from Dela Paz on Egger and Jeff Abalos' block on Carlo Reyes.

Ayco's two consecutive attacks gave UST match point, while Medino finished with an out-of-system shot to secure a victory for the España-based squad, 25-19.

Yuan Mendoza led the Bullpups with 18 points built on 15 attacks and three blocks.

The Junior Golden Spikers will try to secure their second boys’ volleyball championship title at the same venue on Saturday, Dec. 7.