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Karl Escobal and UST celebrate a point against Adamson in the UAAP Season 89 boys' volleyball tournament, October 1, 2026 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. UAAP Media
MANILA — University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University–Diliman defeated separate opponents on Thursday to maintain their perfect starts in the UAAP Season 89 boys' volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Junior Golden Spikers outlasted Adamson, 19–25, 25–21, 25–23, 29–27, to improve to 4-0.
After falling behind 10–13 early in the fourth set, Karl Escobal and Jeff Abalos helped UST regain one-point leads, with Abalos giving the Junior Golden Spikers their first match point through another successful 1–2 play.
Lance Babon tried to keep Adamson in the match and forced the final deadlock at 27-all, but Escobal responded with back-to-back kills to finally close out the contest.
Escobal finished with 22 points on 19 spikes and three blocks, along with five digs and 18 excellent receptions. Thirdy Domingo chipped in 21 markers on 18-of-35 attacking, while Bernard Capuno added six points and 11 excellent sets.
Abalos, a member of UST's UAAP Season 87 championship team, proved to be the game changer, coming off the bench to finish with 10 excellent sets and several clutch plays in the fourth set.
FEU-Diliman celebrates a point against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 boys' volleyball tournament, October 1, 2026 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. UAAP Media
Meanwhile, FEU-Diliman cruised past Ateneo de Manila University, 25–8, 25–15, 25–8, to keep in pace with the Junior Golden Spikers at 4-0.
Second-year head coach Rene Dulay said they carried the momentum from their win against National University Nazareth School last Sunday in their showdown with the Blue Ealges.
"Pinakamalaking impact talaga dito is 'yung previous game namin, talagang parang binaon namin. That's why talagang dominated namin today," said Dulay.
"Pero mahaba pa, three games pa until ng first round. Pero we're coping pa right now sa mga kakulangan namin. Mina-mindset namin is on recovery muna, then we have to prepare sa mga upcoming games natin," he added.
FEU-D fielded all its active players, with every spiker scoring at least one point. Outside hitter Kenneth Maliwanag led the way with nine points in two sets. The UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year also had two digs and one excellent set.
Action between NUNS and UPIS in the UAAP Season 89 boys' volleyball tournament, October 1, 2026 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. UAAP Media
The Bullpups secured a bounce-back win at the expense of the UP Integrated School, 25–17, 26–24, 25–17, evening their record to 2-2.
With its defense fueling its offense, UPIS leveled the second set at 24-all, but NU Nazareth's experience prevailed as the Bullpups scored the final two points to take a 2–0 lead.
Vince Panilawon led the Bullpups with nine points, five coming from blocks and four from attacks.
Ronnie Millan, Ivan Dayrit, and Al-Raquib Dais added seven markers apiece, while Clarenz Altoveros finished with 17 excellent receptions for an 81 percent clip.
The Season 88 Rookies of the Year duo of Justin Jusayan and Prince Jimenez paced the Fighting Maroons with 18 and 11 points, respectively. Jusayan added 10 digs and six excellent receptions, while Jimenez contributed four digs, two positive receptions, and one excellent set.
UE celebrates a point against La Salle-Zobel in the UAAP Season 89 boys' volleyball tournament, October 1, 2026 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila. UAAP Media
University of the East also regained its winning ways, sweeping De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, 25–13, 26–24, 25–15.
The Junior Warriors still struggled with their passing, finishing at 27 percent, but setter Mharl Dullete delivered 19 excellent sets that translated into 39 kills.
Jack Prade finished 13 of those attacks and added a block for 14 total points. Dullete also peppered DLSZ's defense with seven aces on his way to 11 points.
The Baby Falcons and Fighting Maroons, both at 1–2, will try to return to the win column at the other's expense on Friday at 11 a.m.
The Junior Green Spikers and Blue Eagles, both at 0–3, will dispute their first win later that day.