UAAP: Kenneth Culabat, UE draw motivation from UP crowd to hack out win
MANILA, Philippines — Kenneth Culabat delivered 19 points and 19 excellent receptions to bring back University of the East’s winning ways after turning back University of the Philippines, 19-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Culabat, the third-year spiker, lit the fire under the Red Warriors with his versatile game as they recovered from a first-set loss before outlasting the Fighting Maroons in one hour and 46 minutes.
“UP’s crowd was our motivation. For me, I wanted to silence the crowd. We were pressured in the first set so our coach made adjustments and gave us the motivation that we have to bounce back in the second set,” Culabat said in Filipino. “We have to prove in this game that UE is also a competitive team.”
UE tied Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas at 2-1.
The Red Warriors coach Jerome Guhit lauded his two-way player Culabat.
“Our outside hitters should also know how to pass the ball to lessen the burden of our libero. At least if we have a stable spiker, who can pass, the distribution of the ball will be better and it will be easier for us,” Guhit said in Filipino. “At least our two outside spikers can pass. The responsibilities are distributed well.”
Lloyd Josafat was also instrumental for UE with 13 points built on nine spikes, three blocks, and an ace. John Paul Mangahis and Xjhann Camaymayan had 10 points each, while JM Andaya added nine markers, including three blocks
UP remained winless in three games after giving up 28 errors in the match.
Angelo Lagando with 21 points, while Louis Gamban and Daniel Nicolas had 13 points each.