UST halts Tams, tops volley elims

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) outdueled Far Eastern U (FEU), 25-18, 26-28, 25-17, 25-23, to emerge as the top team at the end of the UAAP Season 73 men’s volleyball eliminations at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Harby Ilano (13 points), Salvador Juan Depante (13) and John Paul Torres (12) spearheaded the attack as the Tigers toppled long-time leader and previously unbeaten Tams in one hour and 45 minutes to get the No. 1 spot entering the Final Four.

The four-peat-seeking Tigers and the Tams both finished with 13-1 (win-loss) slates but the España-based spikers took the top semis seeding by virtue of a higher FIVB point ratio than FEU.

In the F4, UST will take on No. 4 La Salle while No. 2 FEU will battle No. 3 University of the Phils. with the Tigers and the Tams enjoying twice-to-beat advantage.

“We still have a chance na manalo ng championship. Pinag-aralan namin nang husto ang mga atake nila (FEU),” UST coach Emil Lontoc said, looking forward for a possible matchup with FEU in the finals.

Rodolfo Labrador Jr. and Arvin Avila punched in 16 and 12, respectively, for FEU, which is seeking its first title since a “three-peat” in Season 69.

The Maroons took the No. 3 seeding after scoring a 25-18, 27-25, 20-25, 25-18 victory over the Green Archers in the other men’s match. UP and DLSU ended with identical 8-6 cards with the Maroons toting higher FIVB point ratio.

In the women’s division, Adamson trounced Ateneo, 25-14, 25-21, 25-16, to finish third after the elims.

The Lady Falcons (9-5) will meet No. 2 UST in the F4 while the Lady Eagles will take on top-notcher La Salle, both needing to beat the higher seeds twice to make the finals.