Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini and rookie setter NJ Bangit combined efforts as De La Salle University outlasted Adamson University, 25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, to start its first winning streak in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Ousseini delivered a career-best 21 points on 14-of-26 attacks, with five blocks and two aces. Meanwhile, Bangit orchestrated the offense with 33 excellent sets and added seven digs. The Green Spikers continue to recover from a 0-4 start.
The win allowed La Salle to tie Ateneo de Manila University for fifth place, both holding 2-4 win-loss records. On the other hand, Adamson dropped its fifth straight match, sharing eighth place with UE at 1-5.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Noong we are trying to prepare for this game, somehow, lumabas yung resulta. Then again, we need more of this para at least, para makaangat naman kami ng konti sa standings,” Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque said.
“It’s more like a wake-up call kasi four losses are a big deal. From those four losses, ito na yung time na nagising sila at kami dahil hindi pwede madagdagan pa. Because if we are aiming for our goal — which is on the top four — medyo alanganin ‘yon,” he added.
La Salle jumped to an early 10-4 lead in the fourth set and never looked back, with an Adamson service error and back-to-back Ousseini blocks keeping the Soaring Falcons down 16-10.
Adamson then mounted a late surge to cut the deficit to 22-19. But a Chris Hernandez crosscourt hit, an Eric Layug ace, and a game-winning crosscourt attack by Eugene Gloria sealed La Salle’s second consecutive win in one hour and 54 minutes.
The Green Spikers took the first two sets comfortably, before the Soaring Falcons forced a fourth frame with a 25-21 third-set victory, fueled by timely contributions from Joel Menor, Maruel Tan, and Ahmed Tahiluddin.
Gloria also shone for La Salle, scoring 18 points on 17 attacks, along with 22 excellent receptions and eight digs. Rui Ventura enjoyed his best performance of the season with 12 points on 11 attacks.
Hernandez added 10 points on eight attacks, 17 excellent receptions, and seven digs, while Layug scored 10 points on eight attacks with two aces.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Adamson, Menor led with 18 points on 16 attacks, complemented by 17 excellent receptions and four digs, followed by Tan with 16 points.
Tahiluddin contributed six points, six receptions, and three digs, while Richard Besorio, West Garces, and team captain Leo Coguimbal added five points each.
La Salle will face defending champions National University Bulldogs this Sunday, March 15, at the same arena, aiming to extend their modest win streak. Meanwhile, Adamson looks to end its five-game skid against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
