UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas boosted its bid for the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball semifinals after defeating University of the East, 22-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23, Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Two-time MVP Josh Ybañez led the Golden Spikers with 25 points, including 21 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, along with six excellent receptions and five digs. The victory kept UST in solo third place with a 7-4 record.

UST can secure a spot in the Final Four if it defeats Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University beats De La Salle University on April 11 at Playime FilOil Centre in San Juan.

Coach Odjie Mamon acknowledged a shaky start in the first set but saw the match as a learning opportunity. “Our mastery of our system, especially on defense, needs polishing. This match was frustrating, but it also highlighted areas we must improve,” he said.

In the fourth set, UE briefly took a 22-21 lead with four straight points, including a backrow hit by Roy Piojo and an attack error by Ybañez. UST responded with a 4-1 run featuring a service error by Isaiah Roca, a net touch by Xjhann Camaymayan, an offspeed hit by Ybañez, and a service error by Raquim Aceron to close the match in one hour and 49 minutes.

Other key contributors for UST included Joncriz Ayco with 12 points, middle blocker Trevor Valera with 11, and Joshua Avila, who delivered 19 excellent sets.

For UE, Aceron led with 17 points, 22 receptions, and five digs. Piojo added 13 points, while Camaymayan and Roca contributed seven and six points, respectively. UE will next face National University on April 12 at UST.