Five games into the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, graduating spiker Noel Kampton continues to prove why he remains the heart and soul of De La Salle University.
Kampton already led the Green Spikers to a bronze medal in Season 84 beach volleyball and another in indoor volleyball last Season 86.
On the Taraflex, he has consistently been La Salle’s top offensive weapon. Currently, he ranks as the league’s sixth-best scorer with 68 points through five matches.
However, if the Green Spikers are to finally break through, head coach Jose Roque believes the team’s supporting wing spikers — Vince Maglinao and MJ Fortuna — must step up to help La Salle reclaim the UAAP men’s volleyball crown, which last belonged to Taft in Season 66 back in 2003.
Maglinao and Fortuna provided a glimpse of their potential impact, complementing Kampton in La Salle’s four-set victory over a winless and undermanned University of the East squad on Saturday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Fortuna led the way with 13 points, tallying 10 attacks and three blocks, while Maglinao recorded his first double-digit performance of the season with 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks.
Their efforts propelled La Salle to solo fourth place in the standings with a 3-2 win-loss record.
“Kailangan ko talaga sila. Whether makabalik or just as supporters, gagawin naman nila lahat ‘eh. Sabi ko lang sa team na whoever I need to fill in doon sa medyo naga-adjust, you have to perform talaga,” Roque shared.
“[I’m] expecting na they’ll perform well kahit sino sa kanila. Magrroot ako doon sa mga seniors, sila dapat ang magdala ng team,” he added.
Now 90% recovered from a Grade 2 right ankle sprain, Maglinao understands the importance of Roque’s trust and hopes to set an example for La Salle’s young wing spikers.
The 23-year-old aims for a full recovery to guide Fortuna, Chris Hernandez, Eric Layug, and Rui Ventura in adapting to the team’s system and chemistry.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Onti-onti, day-by-day, tinatiyaga [yung recovery] kahit minsan nakakapagod. ‘Yon kasi yung paraan para matulungan ko yung team: magpagaling ako para matulungan sila,” said the De La Salle Lipa product.
“Bilang senior na paalis na, nakikita ko sila na nagpe-perform na tutulong sa team. Siyempre mahalaga kasi yung once na pag-alis namin, sila na yung maglalaro ‘eh. Mahalaga na makuha nila yung kumpiyansa at yung respeto ng mga kalaban namin.”
Meanwhile, Fortuna feels determined to adjust to the Green Spikers’ system, hoping to validate the trust Roque and his coaching staff have placed in him.
With their confidence, the former NUNS Bullpup is gradually overcoming the inconsistency and jitters he experienced in his first few games with La Salle.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sabi nga ni coach, yung tiwala na binibigay sa amin, dapat ine-earn. Gusto ko lang ipakita sa mga coaches na kaya ako pinasok kasi alam ko yung role ko. Lahat naman kami nagpe-perform, yung tiwala lang na binibigay ng coaches dapat talaga suklian,” Fortuna explained.
“Thankful naman kasi nung previous games, sobrang lie-low yung mga nilalaro ko and thankful din ako kila coach na binibigyan pa rin niya ako ng chance ipakita kung ano yung potential ko with the team. Hopefully, sana magtuloy-tuloy hanggang second round.”
