The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers stunned the National University Bulldogs in four sets, 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-19, to force a rubber match in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, May 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jayrack Dela Noche was named player of the game, tallying 15 points built on 13 attacks, 1 block, and a service ace.

Josh Ybañez and Gboy De Vega also stepped up for UST, producing 22 and 14 markers, respectively, in the winning effort.

“I'm very happy lang na nakapag-contribute ako sa madaming way. And I hope na mas mapagtrabahuhan ko pa yun. Mas mapag-ensayuhan ko pa,” De Vega said.

“Sa next game, mas okay yung mapakita ko, ipakita ng team namin. And mas united yung babalik dito na UST pagdating ng game 2,” he added.

The Golden Spikers started slow as they trailed NU by five points in the early stages of the first set through three consecutive attacks by Jade Disquitado and Rwenzmel Taguibolos, 7-12.

UST narrowed down the lead to one after De Vega and Valera logged in three straight markers, 19-20.

Jan Macam committed a crucial service error in the final moments of the first set, giving the Bulldogs set point, 23-24.

Al-Bukharie Sali, Poy Colinares, and De Vega helped deliver clutch kills to help UST secure the first set, 26-24.

The second frame saw the Golden Spikers zoom to an early 7-3 advantage courtesy of Dela Noche, Colinares, and Dux Yambao.

NU unleashed a 6-3 blitz through Leo Ordiales and Taguibolos, to trim the lead to one, 10-9.

Both teams were tied at the 20-all mark when a swift kill by De Vega and back-to-back attacks by Ybañez sealed the second set for UST, 27-25.

The Bulldogs got off to a flying start in the third frame, establishing an early six-point edge through Taguibolos‘ back-to-back markers and four errors from the side of UST, 1-7.

The Golden Spikers responded with their own rally to cut the lead to one, 10-11.

Errors proved to be UST’s kryptonite in the third set, giving NU a chance to extend the match, 19-25.

The España-based squad regained their composure in the fourth set, securing an early five-point edge in the fourth set through the offensive firepower of Dela Noche, Ybañez, Colinares, and Yambao, 9-4.

UST continued their fine form as they established their biggest lead of the game through two consecutive kills from De Vega and Dela Noche, 20-13.

Colinares suffered a mild knee sprain late in the fourth salvo after trying to pull off a combination play with Ybañez.

Ybañez and Dela Noche then provided the knockout blow for the Golden Spikers to secure the first win against NU, 25-18.

“We live another day, pero I don't want to be desperately playing like that. Parang desperate yung volleyball namin kanina. Mas maganda sana kung we follow, the players follow the game,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.

“Could have done better. Pero, I'm happy we get to play on Wednesday again,” he added.

Leo Aringo and Ordiales led the charge for NU, tallying 18 and 15 markers, respectively, in the losing effort

The last time UST won against the Bulldogs was in their second-round matchup of UAAP Season 86.

The Golden Spikers will try to derail the twice-to-beat advantage of NU on Wednesday, May 7, in the same venue.