UST’s Jay Rack Dela Noche (No. 10) scores against La Salle’s Chris Emmanuel Hernandez (No. 18) during the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2025). The Golden Spikers won, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16, for a 2-1 card. (UAAP photo)
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers will look to secure their third victory in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament as they take on the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
UST (2-1) is currently tied for second place with National University (NU) and Ateneo de Manila University, trailing behind the unbeaten Far Eastern University (FEU). The match against Adamson is set for 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, NU will face the winless University of the East (UE) in the second game at noon.
Despite missing reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Josh Ybañez due to injury, the Golden Spikers have maintained their momentum with back-to-back wins. They dominated UE with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-19 victory, followed by another commanding performance against De La Salle University (DLSU), winning 25-21, 25-20, 25-16.
“The results speak for themselves,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said in a news release on Friday. “The team has been able to carry the good energy forward. I’m not worried about losing a key player because everyone on this team plays a crucial role.”
Meanwhile, the five-time defending champions NU Bulldogs aim to rebound after suffering a tough 25-27, 14-25, 23-25 loss against FEU.
Women’s Division: NU Eyes Fourth Straight Win
In the women’s division, defending champion NU will attempt to extend its perfect start to 4-0 as it faces UE at 4 p.m.
UST and Adamson, both tied with the University of the Philippines at 2-1, will clash at 2 p.m. in a battle for positioning.
The Tigresses will be led by Angeline Poyos, fresh off a hard-fought five-set victory over La Salle (25-13, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13). Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons, powered by Shai Nitura, are coming off a convincing 25-20, 25-15, 25-12 win against UE.
NU’s Lady Bulldogs, aiming to maintain their undefeated record, recently outlasted FEU in a grueling five-setter (25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8).
With key matchups across both divisions, Saturday promises intense action as teams fight for positioning in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament.