The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers walloped the University of the East Red Warriors in three sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19, to secure their first win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

Jan Macam, Gboy De Vega, Popoy Colinares, and Jay Rack De La Noche took action despite the absence of their two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez.

Macam led the Golden Spikers with 14 points, built on 12 attacks and two blocks, while Colinares, De La Noche, and De Vega also pumped in 12 points each.

“Ang coaching staff, yung ginawa namin is how to motivate them to perform on top again. Tapos, minor, very minor adjustment lang yung wala si Josh sa starting. Kasi anyone can take his place. I have three other players to fill up his position,” he said.

The first set saw both teams tied at 12-12, but several errors from the Recto-based squad and back-to-back attacks by De Vega helped UST establish a five-point edge, 17-12.

Trevor Valera logged in back-to-back attacks to seize their biggest lead in the opening frame, 21-13.

Two consecutive kills by Alche Gupiteo and a net touch committed by UE’s Joseph Bicar sent UST ahead by one set to none over the Red Warriors, 25-17.

Both sides were locked in a see-saw battle in the second set, but Golden Spiker Al-Bukharie Sali’s two-straight points followed by a couple of errors from the Red Warriors helped UST seize a six-point edge, 20-14.

Colinares stepped up in the final moments of the second canto, delivering two clutch markers to end the set and gain a two-sets-to-none lead, 25-18.

The Red Warriors stayed within striking range in the third set as they simmered down the lead to three through the offensive might of Axel Defeo and Roy Piojo, 19-16.

A tip-over and a swift kill by Colinares secured the Golden Spikers’ first victory of the season, 25-19.

Despite missing Ybañez due to his injury, Mamon is still confident with UST’s lineup this season.

“I stand by my statement that I have the best lineup this season. Anyone can step up for us. I’m happy they bounced back from our previous loss. Very satisfied ako with today’s performance,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.

Piojo was the lone hero for the Red Warriors, tallying 13 points built on 11 attacks and two blocks, while Bicar recorded eight excellent sets and three excellent digs in the losing effort.

UST will now aim to seal back-to-back wins as they face the De La Salle University Green Spikers on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.