Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao took charge when it mattered most, powering De La Salle University past defending champion National University with a 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-17 victory to open its second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
Despite a string of three consecutive errors that cost them the second set, the Green Spikers leaned on the dynamic duo to dominate the next two frames, clinching the win and forging a tie for third place with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
Both teams now hold identical 5-3 records.
University of Santo Tomas has the opportunity to join Ateneo and La Salle in a three-way tie for third place if it hands Far Eastern University its first Season 87 loss in the second game of today’s quadruple-header.
The Green Spikers also exacted revenge on the Bulldogs, who swept them in straight sets in their season opener last February 16 at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Mahalaga talaga ito sa amin kasi kung yung goal namin is beyond the top four, kailangan talaga namin ito ipanalo and luckily, ito nabless kami… Kailangan kasi nila, yun yung always na rineremind ko, na kailangan maging consistent kami para mareach namin yung standard namin,” La Salle head coach Jose Roque said.
La Salle built an early 13-8 lead in the fourth set before extending it to 17-8, capitalizing on consecutive attack errors from Leo Aringo and Jade Disquitado, an ace from Eco Adajar, and a block by Rui Ventura.
From there, the Green Spikers remained in control. A JJ Rodriguez running attack, a down-the-line kill from Maglinao, and a service error by rookie setter Jeffe Gallego sealed La Salle’s fifth win in eight outings.
NU had a brief surge in the third set, cutting an 18-15 deficit to just one at 20-19. However, La Salle responded with a powerful off-the-block hit from Maglinao then a Kampton kill.
Two errors from Buds Buddin and another block from Ventura secured the set, giving the Green Spikers a 2-1 advantage.
La Salle nearly stole the second set after erasing a 22-24 deficit and taking a 25-24 lead, thanks to three consecutive attacks from Nat del Pilar and Rodriguez. But Rodriguez committed three straight errors — a double contact, a net fault, and an attack error — allowing NU to level the match at one set apiece.
In the opening set, La Salle initially trailed 5-11 but displayed remarkable composure, orchestrating a dominant 14-2 run to establish a 19-13 lead before closing out the set.
“Coming from a loss against FEU, ito talaga yung naging motivation namin na yung FEU game namin sayang ‘eh. Itong NU game naman namin, kung kaya naman pala namin magplay ng ganitong standard sa NU, why not try natin sa lahat para mas manalo kami,” Kampton said.
Kampton delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 25 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, along with 15 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs. Maglinao backed him up with 20 points, tallying 17 attacks, three blocks, 17 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs.
Ventura contributed 14 points on nine attacks, three blocks, and one ace, while Del Pilar added seven points from five attacks and two blocks.
Adajar orchestrated La Salle’s offense with 29 excellent sets while also chipping in five points from three attacks, one block, and one ace. Team captain and Season 86 Best Libero Menard Guerrero anchored the floor defense with 21 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs.
La Salle will aim for back-to-back wins when it faces UST on Saturday, March 29, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, NU saw its four-game winning streak snapped, slipping to a 6-2 record while maintaining its hold on second place.
Disquitado led the Bulldogs with 15 points, 16 excellent receptions, and seven excellent digs. Buddin was limited to 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, alongside 12 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
Aringo also chipped in 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.
Gallego managed 17 excellent sets for NU, while Jimwell Gapultos contributed 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back when they take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 26, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
