The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers closed out their UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament elimination round with a tough four-set loss against the National University Bulldogs, 22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, on Sunday, April 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

MVP frontrunner Josh Ybañez tallied 20 points off 17 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace to lead UST in the losing effort.

The opening salvo featured a tight exchange of points early on until a down-the-line kill from Jade Disquitado sparked a 5-0 run to give NU a 11-8 lead.

The three-point lead for the Bulldogs were enough to hold the UST rally and end the set at 25-22.

Disquitado opened the second frame with an attack, however, Ybañez, JJ Macam, and Jayrack De La Noche scored consecutive points to put UST up, 5-1.

The Golden Spikers maintained control throughout the set, capitalizing on their strong start to level the match with a 25-20 win off a one-two play by Dux Yambao.

UST looked to seize the third set as they kept pace with NU in another back-and-forth third set, however, Disquitado delivered a backrow attack that sparked a big 4-0 run that allowed the Bulldogs to build a 17-14 cushion.

Macam attempted to rally the Golden Spikers back, but NU stood firm and closed out the third set, 25-22.

The fourth canto saw a similar start in the previous sets, with NU holding the lead for most of the set until consecutive attack points from Ybañez put UST only one point behind, 19-20.

Peng Taguibolos quickly countered with an attack, followed by an attack error from the Golden Spikers and a block point from Leo Aringo that extended NU’s lead late in the set, 19-23.

Two consecutive net faults from Greg Ancheta and Aringo gave UST a chance to attempt a comeback, however, a cross court kill from Aringo closed the door on the Golden Spikers, 22-25.

UST head coach Odjie Mamon shared that minimizing the team's errors could be the game changer in their semifinal rematch against the Jhocson-based squad.

“Sana inubos na nila lahat ng error this match, kasi anlayo nung performance namin especially sa setter don sa previous matches namin… hindi [rin] talaga nasunod ‘yung game plan namin,” said Mamon.

“We will prepare naman [and] we will rely on the scouting report,” he added.

Ybañez also expressed what the team could improve ahead of their matchup against their rivals

“I think na we really have to work on our receiving sa volleyball. But sa mental aspect, ‘yung tapang talaga, ‘yung puso and ‘yung kalmadong utak while playing the game [ang kailangan],” said the MVP frontrunner.

“May pressure [‘yung semifinals dahil sa twice-to-win disadvantage]... [but] we’ll take it as a motivation sa team and drive para mas galingan namin and paghusayan namin sa semis,” he added.

The Golden Spikers will look to bust their losing streak against the Bulldogs that started on the second round of the UAAP Season 86 as they clash once again in the semifinals.

The schedule of their match up is yet to be released by the league. -with reports from Kurt Andre Mandigma