The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers opened their UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament with a 25-20, 22-25, 16-25, 20-25 loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Trevor Valera was UST’s top gunner, tallying 15 points built on seven attacks and four blocks, while Josh Ybañez and Al-Bukharie Sali logged 15 points with 13 excellent receptions and two digs and 11 markers, respectively, in their loss.

UST exchanged attacks and errors with the Tamaraws in the first set but outlasted FEU through a 5-1 run propelled by Ybañez and Gboy De Vega, 25-20.

FEU’s Doula Ndongola knocked in back-to-back kills to secure a two-point cushion in an equally contested second frame, 18-20.

A crucial net touch by the Golden Spikers gave the Tamaraws the set after a block from Ndongala in their next rally, 22-25.

Lirrick Mendoza and rookie Mikko Espartero kept the charge going for FEU in the third set as they established a seven-point cushion over the Golden Spikers, 18-11.

A huge block from Valera kept UST alive after being down by eight, 15-23. But two consecutive attacks by Jelord Talisayan and Saavedra gave FEU the set point, 16-25.

Both teams embarked on a see-saw battle but the Tamaraws unleashed a 9-3 blitz through the offensive firepower of Talisayan, Ndongola, and Saavedra to pull away from the Golden Spikers, 19-13.

UST’s star player Ybañez suffered an apparent right foot injury while the Golden Spikers were trailing by four, 18-22.

The España-based squad was able to cut the lead to three after an attack by Alche Gupiteo, 20-23, but a kill from Espartero and a block from Talisayan denied UST’s hope of forcing a fifth set, 20-25.

Espartero led FEU’s scoring department, tallying 19 points, built on 16 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.

Talisayan and Saavedra also proved to crucial in the Tamaraws’ win, knocking in 13 markers each.