De La Salle University withstood a tough challenge from University of the East to secure a straight-sets victory, 30-28, 25-16, 25-22, and remain in the hunt for a spot in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Final Four, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, the Green Spikers improved their record to 7-4, tying them with the UST Golden Spikers, who earlier defeated Ateneo 26-24, 25-17, 25-22, for third to fourth place.
“Happy naman talaga ako kasi we’re expecting na even if UE [is] low rank, we expect na lalaban sila. Pero sabi ko sa team ko, we really need to balance ‘yung tao kasi mahaba pa ang liga,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque, who utilized all 14 players.
“Kapag mababad ‘yung starters ko, baka sa dulo mahirapan. Kaya sabi ko sa bench, prepare yourselves kasi kayo dapat ang mag-balanse niyan.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Green Spikers were ahead 19-16 and 24-22 in the opening set, but the Red Warriors fought back with the help of Roy Piojo and Xjhann Camaymayan, pushing the set to a tense 28-all.
However, back-to-back errors from Piojo at the service line and Raquim Aceron in the attack set gave La Salle the hard-fought first set.
The Green Spikers then dominated the second set before holding on in the third to seal the win after one hour and 24 minutes.
Noel Kampton led 11 La Salle players in the scoring column with 13 points, while Nathaniel Del Pilar and MJ Fortuna contributed eight and seven points, respectively, in two sets of play.
Rookie Chris Hernandez also stood out, tallying six points, eight excellent receptions, and seven excellent digs in two sets.
La Salle will look for its third consecutive win on April 13 when it faces University of the Philippines at the same venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE remained winless after 11 games and will conclude its campaign against National University, UST, and Ateneo de Manila University in that order.
Piojo, a rookie from Iloilo, led the Red Warriors with 14 points, while Camaymayan added 11 points. Aceron, also a rookie, contributed nine points and 17 excellent receptions.
