UST DOWNS ADU FOR THIRD VICTORY

(UPDATE) ALCHE Gupiteo and JJ Macam took center stage as University of Santo Tomas (UST) staged a gutsy comeback to complete a sweet sweep of Adamson University (AdU), 25-18, 25-15, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

With the Golden Spikers staring at a five-point deficit in the third set, Gupiteo and Macam spearheaded a furious rally, combining for seven points in UST's closing 12-5 run that flipped the script and secured their third straight victory.

The Golden Spikers found themselves at a 13-18 disadvantage in the third frame but persevered through newcomers Gupiteo and Macam.

In the 12-5 closer of UST, Macam scored four points, while Gupiteo added three. Trevor Valera also contributed in the run that allowed his team to improve to 3-1 after falling in its first game of the season against Far Eastern University.

Gupiteo delivered a career-best 13 points on eight spikes and five blocks.

Tied at 17 in the opener, Popoy Colinares, Gupiteo and Macam rallied the Golden Spikers to an 8-1 finishing kick, 25-18. That momentum translated into the second set as UST, through Macam and Polinares, opened up a 16-5 separation en route to the 25-15 frame to move on the verge of a sweep.

Macam also ended up with 13 points on a spread-out eight attacks, three aces and two blocks to go with seven receptions and four digs.

Jay Rack De la Noche and Colinares also chipped in 11 and 10 points apiece as the Golden Spikers atoned for their 27 errors with a huge gap in the spiking department, 39-20.