The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers secured a solo third spot after sweeping the University of the East Red Warriors, 25-20, 25-17, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This victory boosts UST’s chances of making the final four this season as they improve their win-loss record to 8-4.

Poy Colinares was hailed player of the game, tallying 12 points built on six attacks, four blocks, and two aces, while Josh Ybañez and Jay Rack Dela Noche contributed 15 and 11 markers in the winning effort, respectively.

The Golden Spikers started slow in the opening set but three straight attacks from Ybañez and Colinares gave UST a four-point edge, 13-9.

UE charged back as Roy Piojo sparked a 4-1 run to cut the lead to one, 18-17.

The España-based squad answered back with a 7-3 blitz courtesy of Jan Macam, Ybañez, and Dela Noche to seal the first period, 25-20.

UST got off to a flying start in the second frame as Trevor Valera, Dux Yambao, Macam, and Dela Noche ignited a 5-1 rally to secure an early six-point advantage, 10-6.

The Golden Spikers continued to dominate UE as Ybañez and Macam knocked in back-to-back hits to pad their lead to seven, 18-11.

Five consecutive conversions by Gboy De Vega, Al-Bukharie Sali, Colinares, and Macam helped UST seize two sets to none advantage, 25-17.

The third canto saw both teams tied at the 17-all mark as the Red Warriors tried to force a fourth set.

The Golden Spikers then unleashed another 7-3 blitz through the offensive prowess of Colinares, Valera, Ybañez, and Dela Noche to secure their eighth win of the season, 25-20.

“I think yung preparation namin ngayon over our win streak, it’s geared to our specific opponent na. Nung first round kasi, puro kami internal preparations lang. Pero this time, we try to match up. May mga lapses, pero thankful na naffollow naman yung game plan,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.

Roy Piojo paced UE in their loss with nine points on eight attacks and an ace.

The Golden Spikers will try to win their remaining games as they clash against the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, April 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.