DE LA SALLE University secured a spot in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball Final Four after defeating University of the East in four sets, 25-16, 23-25, 25-13, 25-22, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Saturday.
The Green Spikers ended the elims with an 8-6 slate and entered the semifinals for the first time since Season 75 (2012-13).
“Always chinachallenge ko talaga yung mga players na if you’re asking us mga coaches kung gaano namin kagusto, talagang gusto namin na maka Final Four but in the end, call nila kasi sila yung naglalaro eh,” said De La Salle head coach Arnold Laniog.
After UE won the second set 25-23, the Green Spikers responded with a strong 14-5 start in the third set, which they won 25-13 to take a 2-1 set lead.
The Red Warriors opened up an 11-6 lead in the fourth set, but De La Salle fought back to tie the score at 18-18.
UE made three straight errors to fall behind by three points, and Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao took over for the 24-21 match point.
Kampton scored 20 points on 18-of-32 attacks and had nine excellent receptions, while JM Ronquillo and Maglinao contributed 14 points each.
Paul Serrano made 19 excellent sets and utilized middle blockers Nathaniel Del Pilar and Billie Anima, who scored nine and eight points, respectively.
UE’s Kenneth Culabat and Joshua Pozas scored 17 points each, and JM Andaya added 11 points.
The Red Warriors ended their season in sixth place with a 5-9 win-loss record.
