If UST manages to repeat over NU, it’ll mark the second-straight year that the Golden Spikers overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage to advance into the championship round.
One more win, and UST is back in the biggest stage of the men’s collegiate volleyball for a third straight year.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Golden Spikers aim to complete a dramatic UAAP Season 87 Final Four upset of four-time defending champion National University in a do-or-die on Wednesday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST forced the sudden-death match after a gritty 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-18 victory over the Bulldogs, snapping a four-game losing streak to NU that dated back to Season 86.
The win moved the Golden Spikers’ title from another Finals appearance where the top seed FEU Tamaraws await.
[ALSO READ: Belief propels UST to Final Four do-or-die vs 5-peat seeking NU: 'We know na beatable sila']
Reigning two-time MVP Josh Ybañez spearheaded the charge with a 22-point explosion while gunner GBoy De Vega delivered 14 points in his first start in over two months.
“I am very happy lang na nakapagcontribute ako sa maraming ways and I hope na mas mapagtrabahuan ko pa and mas mapagensayuhan ko pa para sa next game, mas okay ipakita ko and ng team namin,” De Vega told reporters in the post-game press conference.
Jayrack De la Noche chipped in 15 points while Dux Yambao tossed out 20 excellent sets.
Can the Golden Spikers end the Bulldogs four-year reign?
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]