De La Salle University bounced back in style, defeating the University of the Philippines, 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, to stay in contention in the tightly contested UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four race at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday.
After seeing their four-game winning streak snapped in their previous outing, the Green Spikers rebounded with this victory to improve to 5-5, tying the Ateneo Blue Eagles for fourth place.
The win also gave La Salle crucial separation from the Fighting Maroons, who now sit two games behind at 3-7.
“Before this game, sabi ko hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. We have five more games. Isa-isahin natin. Hindi pa naman tapos ang season, kung saan man tayo palarin, that’s it. Pero until meron pa tayong haharapin, we have to fight back,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Green Spikers secured the win in four sets after staving off UP’s comeback attempt in the extended fourth set.
UP built a 19-16 lead in the fourth frame, led by Olayemi Raheem, but La Salle refused to let the match extend into a deciding fifth set.
Yoyong Mendoza, Eugene Gloria, and Issa Ousseini took turns delivering key hits to tie the game at 23, before Ousseini gave the Green Spikers their first match point with a solid block on Tommy Castrodes, 24-23.
Raheem answered for UP, but Milven Francisco wasted a golden opportunity as his dump attempt sailed just outside the line, giving La Salle a second match point at 25-24.
Ousseini then sealed the victory with a service ace, ending the match after two hours and eight minutes.
Ousseini led the Green Spikers with 17 points on 13 attacks, three blocks, and the decisive ace, while Mendoza also contributed 17 points along with 10 excellent digs.
Eugene Gloria added 15 points, 13 receptions, and seven digs, and Chris Hernandez chipped in 11 points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons dropped to sixth place, dimming their hopes of advancing to the Final Four.
Raheem was again UP’s top scorer with 24 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Abram Robles added 12 points.
Both teams will have a long break before returning to action on April 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle will face league-leading Far Eastern University, while UP will battle Ateneo de Manila University.
