The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers shook off a slow start to notch their second straight win in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, rallying past the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21, on Tuesday, August 12, at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center.

Al Bukharie Sali once again proved to be the spark, igniting UST’s second-set turnaround and carrying the squad through the next two frames. The opposite hitter finished with 21 points on 16 attacks, two aces, and three blocks.

“Hindi naman natin pwedeng i-count out ang Letran kasi first runner-up yan sa NCAA… Luckily, nung pahuli, sumabay na sila. Naka-recover naman kami,”
— Coach Benjamin Mape

From flat start to strong finish

The Golden Spikers stumbled early, plagued by service errors in the opening set that allowed Letran to take control. Romer Sumagaysay led the Knights’ early charge to claim the first frame.

But UST responded with sharper net defense and steadier execution, pulling away midway through the next two sets.

In the fourth, with the score tied at 18, JJ Macam’s service run sparked a 5-0 UST rally. After a service error ended his streak, Macam redeemed himself with a clutch spike for match point. Letran saved two match points before Sali ended the one-hour, 39-minute contest with a decisive kill.

Team effort behind Sali’s heroics

Sali and rookie middle blocker Sean Cruz combined for six of UST’s total eight blocks. Team captain and setter Dux Yambao tallied 20 excellent sets, orchestrating an offense that produced 57 attack points.

Macam and Gboy De Vega added 12 and 13 markers, respectively, to complement Sali’s offensive barrage.

With the win, UST improved to 2-0 and will aim to stay unbeaten against De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde on Saturday at 3 p.m., still at Paco Arena.

For Letran (0-2), Lopez was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points, while team captain Vince Himzon was limited to just five. The Knights will try to halt their skid against Arellano (0-2) on Sunday at 10 a.m.