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The UST Golden Spikers celebrate a point against UST in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, November 16, 2025 at the Paco Arena. PVL Media
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas erased a two-set deficit to stun Far Eastern University and claim their spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Paco Arena.
The Golden Spikers fell behind by two sets but roared back to take a stunning 22–25, 20–25, 25–23, 25–23, 15–13 triumph against the Tamaraws.
It was an impressive result for a UST squad that was missing stars Josh Ybañez, Al Bukharie Sali, JJ Macam, and even head coach Odjie Mamon. The Golden Spikers finished the elimination round with a 5-2 win-loss record.
"Pasalamat kami kay Lord kasi binigyan niya kami ng wisdom kung paano magkaroon ng [lakas ng loob] 'yung mga bata. At the same time, 'yung mga bata nagkaroon sila ng kumpiyansa na kaya nila," said UST-Gameville assistant coach Benjamin Mape, who is calling the shots with Mamon and the three players currently with Alas Pilipinas in Taiwan.
Tied at 11-all in the fifth set, Gboy Dela Vega delivered a clean down-the-line hit before Charles Absin committed a costly attack error that handed the Golden Spikers a 13–12 advantage.
"Nagkaroon sila ng kumpyansa, kasi nung una nagdududa sila sa sarili nila. Nung succeeding sets, kaya pala. So dun sila kumuha ng lakas na kaya natin kahit kulang tayo," added Mape.
Trevor Valera led the UST-Gameville uprising with 16 points built on 10 attacks and six blocks, while Dela Vega added 15 points—all from attacks—along with 20 excellent receptions.
Umandal, Kris Hernandez, and Andrei Delicana chipped in nine points apiece, while John Catinsag added eight as the Golden Spikers overcame a staggering 39 errors to keep their season alive.
Earlier in the day, UST-Gameville was still in danger of missing the semifinals, but Alpha Insurance's loss to Criss Cross eventually cleared their path.
READ: Criss Cross denies Alpha Insurance's upset bid to sweep elims
The Tamaraws ended their campaign in sixth place with a 2–5 slate.
Doula Ndongala dropped a tournament-best 17 points, while Absin and Dryx Saavedra backed him up with 15 and 13 markers, respectively, in the loss.