HOOPS

Golden Spikers fan semis chances

DT · Sep 21, 2026, 4:22 AM

TREVOR Valera and the UST Golden Spikers inch closer to a semifinal berth after posting a 25-15, 23-25, 25-22, 24-26, 22-20 win over the Saint Benilde Blazers in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday. — Photograph courtesy of V-LEAGUE

University of Santo Tomas (UST) gained the upper hand in the tight race for the last semifinals spot after outlasting College of Saint Benilde, 25-15, 23-25, 25-22, 24-26, 22-20, in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The Golden Spikers threatened to close out the match early in the deciding set, with JJ Macam drilling back-to-back kills to give UST a 9-4 cushion. But Reymark Betco and Rocky Motol sparked a comeback for the Blazers, forcing a deuce at 20-all.

A booming kill from GBoy de Vega that clipped the line gave UST a match-point advantage before Macam and Al Bukhaire Sali teamed up to deny Betco and seal the two-hour-and-35-minute marathon, giving the Golden Spikers their third win.

“The boys wanted it; they were the ones who performed. As for us, we were just guides during the game. They wanted it, which is why we got this win," said coach Benjamin Mape, who handled the team with head coach Odjie Mamon sitting on the bench.