University of Santo Tomas (UST) ended a seven-year title drought by clinching its second University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) high school boys’ volleyball title with a commanding 25-17, 25-22, 25-20 victory over defending champion National University-Nazareth School in Game 2 of Season 87 finals on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.
The triumph marks the Junior Golden Spikers’ first championship since Season 80, when the team was led by the formidable trio of Jaron Requinton, GBoy de Vega and CJ Segui.
UST capped off the season on a high note with a nine-game winning streak, suffering only one loss — a five-set defeat to the University of the East last 16 October 2024, 23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 11-15.
The Junior Golden Spikers showcased resilience throughout the season and carried their momentum into the finals.
In Game 1 of the best-of-three series, UST also emerged victorious, securing a 18-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19 win.
The decisive final set of Game 2 was tightly contested, but UST managed to pull ahead, creating a crucial 21-17 lead.
The Bullpups made a late push to cut the deficit to one point, but UST’s Paolo Medino took charge, scoring three of the team’s final four points. His sharp attack sealed the match and secured the championship for the Junior Golden Spikers.
Seventeen-year-old team captain Kalel Legaspi, who transitioned back to his natural position as libero after playing as a setter last season, was named the Finals Most Valuable Player for his stellar defense, which anchored UST throughout the season.
Medino led UST’s charge with a game-high 21 points, including 16 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, along with 11 digs.