Noel Kampton wants to leave De La Salle University as a podium finisher, and he has the perfect motivation to stay driven through the grueling four-month journey of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
The 6-foot-2 outside spiker tied the knot with his girlfriend, Abbe San Juan, in August 2024, and together, they now have a three-month-old baby named Leon — his ultimate source of inspiration in his final playing year with the Green Spikers.
“Sobrang dagdag motivation. Yung wife ko, sobrang pagod din mag-alaga sa baby. Yung yaya namin, kapag wala kami, sila nag-aalaga,” Kampton shared.
“After the game, dati nakaka-chill pa ako. Ngayon, uwi agad ng bahay, babantayan ko si baby Leon ko. Nakakatuwa lang kasi may inuuwian ako. Kahit pagod ka, kapag makita mo ‘yung baby mong mag-smile, sobrang tanggal yung pagod,” added the 25-year-old senior.
“Ngayong panalo pa, mas walang pagod.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
It was all smiles for Kampton and La Salle on Sunday morning as they avenged their opening-day loss to four-time defending champion National University, scoring a 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-17 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With this win, the Green Spikers climbed to a tie for third place with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, both holding identical 5-3 records.
“Overwhelmed ako talaga. Playing against NU, possible na last ko na representing La Salle, sobrang saya ko lang. Kasi nung first game namin sa UAAP, NU rin — talo kami. Hindi ako nakatulog, ang daming nangba-bash sa akin, ang daming nangba-bash sa team namin, keso ganito kami,” Kampton recalled.
“Ginawa ko lang motivation na sige, sige lang, kunin lang namin ‘yung rhythm namin. Kahit papaano, nakakaconnect kami. Nakakatuwa lang talaga.”
La Salle had suffered a straight-sets defeat to NU in the season opener, 22-25, 22-25, 19-25.
In Kampton’s first two years with the Green Spikers, they reached the Final Four but fell short of a podium finish both times — a streak he’s determined to break in his final season.
“Gusto ko talaga makapag-podium kasi ilang years na ako sa UAAP, wala pa akong podium. Syempre podium tapos next no’n, graduation,” said the Sports Management student.
#WATCH: Noel Kampton isn’t just playing for La Salle—he’s playing for his family.
With his wife and son Leon as his biggest inspiration, he’s determined to make his senior year one to remember 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/ydrd4zj5pD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 23, 2025
