University of the East made known its intention of bringing back the crown with no less than a gritty statement win against defending champion Nazareth School of National University, 25-22, 25-23, 27-25, in the UAAP Season 85 High School Boys’ Volleyball tournament, Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Outside hitter Jan Macam provided the muscle in the Junior Warriors’ offense and eventually closed the match with a cross-court kill.
“Katulad lang nu’ng sinabi ko sa umpisa, one at a time. Hindi naman kailangan magmadali, kailangan pag-isipan lahat ng gagawin para makuha namin ‘yung goal namin na manalo,” UE head coach Raffy Mosuela shared.
He added, “’Nu’ng nakita nila na nag-e-error na ‘yung kalaban (first set), siyempre tumaas na ‘yung kumpyansa ng mga bata. Though, ‘yung isang outside hitter ko, siya lang naman nag-jajump serve, sabi ko ‘Diskarte mo.’ Hindi na ko magsasabi na kung saang area niya dadalhin ‘yung bola. It just so happened na nagkaroon naman ng errors ‘yung kalaban.”
With the game tied at 25-all in the final set, Roland Llorente sent UE into its second match point with a finish on a combination play. Macam then pulled through with the kill to end the contest after one hour and 16 minutes.
“Actually si Macam, very sincere siya talaga. ‘Yung two years nga na hindi nakalaro, nakita ko ‘yung potential niya at desidido talaga. Tingin ko, hinihingi niya ‘yung bola talaga para manalo,” Mosuela spoke of his Grade 11 student-athlete’s confidence.
University of Santo Tomas also protected its clean 2-0 record after taking care of Ateneo in the following match in straight sets, 25-14, 25-8, 25-9.
Raquim Aceron and Adamson University then closed the day with a similar rout of De La Salle Zobel, 25-11, 25-7, 25-7, to barge into the winning column in fourth place at 1-1.