UST celebrates a point against Arellano in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, September 3, 2025 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. PVL Media
MANILA – The UST Golden Spikers cruised past the defending NCAA champions Arellano University Chiefs, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, in the 2025 V-League Men's Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Paco Arena.
UST's demolition of the Chiefs meant that they are now just a win away from booking a ticket back to the semi-finals.
Sophomore Max Macam was named player of the game with 14 markers all coming from attacks while GBoy De Vega racked up 12 points in the win.
"'Yung effective [rin] talaga samin was yung [pag-eenjoy] namin sa loob ng court because once nag-eenjoy na kami sa loob ng court gumaganda na rin yung galaw namin," Macam told ABS-CBN News.
"Nag-back to basic lang rin ako at nag-improve lang rin yung mindset ko," he added.
UST were quick to pounce on the Chiefs as kills from Al-Bukharie Sali and rookie John Catinsag clinched the opening set, 25-18.
Arellano's struggles on the floor continued in the second set as a foot fault triggered a 4-0 run for UST, 10-6 while two consecutive finishes from UST opposite hitter Iggy Umandal gave the Golden Spikers a two-set lead.
The Golden Spikers embarked on a 12-1 run fueled by an attack from Trevor Valera to take a 13-point cushion late into the third set, 20-7.
A service ace from De Vega followed by a kill from UST middle blocker Ryuichi Yamanaka sealed the win, 25-15.
Arellano team captain and opposite hitter Jiwen Sinuto powered his team with 10 points all built on attacks in the loss.
The Golden Spikers will take on the defending VLeague champions FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, Sept.6, in the same venue.
On the other hand, Arellano will try to get back on the winning column as they go up against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 7, in the same venue.