UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) Davao Wildcats spikers bid their hopes goodbye after bowing to defending champion University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 19-25, 16-25, 23-25, in the men’s volleyball quarterfinals of the 23rd Philippine University Games (Unigames) in Dumaguete City yesterday,
UM coach Jhonathan Exequiel Vanta, in a Facebook interview, said, “Dili jud makaya defending champion ang UST (It was tough since UST is defending champion).
He also said that UM’s receiving end struggled, adding, “Kakulba siguro pero third quarter nakabawi na sila pero nabitin lang jud (They might have succumbed to nerves but they somehow recovered in the third period but it was too late).”
In the group C eliminations, UM spanked Negros Oriental State University (Norsu), 25-20, 25-18, 25-9, after beating Holy Angel University, 25-18, 25-16, 25-16, De La Salle University-D, 25-20, 15-25, 25-17, 16-25, 15-18 and University of San Agustin-Iloilo, 25-23, 25-21, 25-15.
The Wildcats also bested Adamson University in four sets earlier.
Vanta said the team did well despite the short preparation since it was finals exams week when the players left. “More than a week wala sila praktis before the tournament (They did not train a week before the tournament).”
He also said that since his players were scouted by Uaap and Ncaa coaches show they performed well but only fell short against “Manila standard of play.”
The team was composed of Romel Bughao, Jimmie-Lou Flores, Vergilio Saromines, Jr., Kris Steven Avila, Fred Lhormand Maghinay, Rex Paller, Jan Ashley Jacob, Keith Christian Sampinit, John Vincent Yson, Yancee Requillo, Edwin Pague I and Charlon Geem Daan.