Defending champion De La Salle University refused to back down, defeating Far Eastern University in four sets, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, to force a do-or-die Game 3 in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
Chris Hernandez led the scoring charge, while Noel Kampton provided a spark off the bench in his much-anticipated return.
The Green Spikers overcame a third-set loss to close out the match in the fourth.
Hernandez delivered a game-high 23 points, tallying 17 attacks, four blocks, and two aces, along with 19 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
Kampton, playing less than two sets in his return, added nine crucial points.
“Added reinforcement para sa team, and at the same time, kailangan niya pa mag-adjust kasi bumalik lang siya yesterday. Hoping na itong remaining two days maka-adjust siya,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque about Kampton, who missed much of the team’s campaign due to his commitment with the national team.
After losing the third set, the Green Spikers faced a stiff challenge in the fourth. FEU cut a 21-16 La Salle lead down to just three, 21-18, following a Kampton service error and an Amet Bituin off-the-block kill.
Both teams traded blows, but a crucial service fault by Bituin and an Eco Adajar block on Jerold Talisayan sealed the 25-20 victory for La Salle.
“Happy. Somehow, it paid off lahat ng training and at the same time, ‘yun ‘yung gusto ng team – manalo. They played their best,” said Roque.
Glen Ventura contributed 12 points, all from attacks, while Joshua Magalaman chipped in nine points.
Yoyong Mendoza and Eric Layug also made key contributions with seven points each in the must-win match.
Adajar directed the offense with 19 excellent sets, while team captain Menard Guerrero anchored the defense with 13 excellent digs.
The Green Spikers will now aim for their second consecutive V-League title, while the Tamaraws will seek their first when they meet again on Friday at the same venue.
For FEU, Dryx Saavedra led the way with 18 points on 16 attacks and two blocks, while Lirick Mendoza and Talisayan added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Benny Martinez contributed 18 excellent sets in the loss.
