DE LA SALLE University stunned Far Eastern University in a thriller, 25-22, 25-27, 20-25, 25-21, 15-12, to move up to solo fourth in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.
Wing spikers Noel Kampton, JM Ronquillo, and Vince Maglinao all had their hands in the Green Spikers’ escape in the fifth set, outlasting Mark Calado and Dryx Saavedra’s barrage for the Tamaraws.
“Galing sa back-to-back loss sa NU sabi ko sa game na ito talagang pilitin natin manalo. Magbuboost ito ng morale at magpupush pa sa amin to work hard,” said De La Salle head coach Arnold Laniog.
With their backs against the walls, Ronquillo carried the Green Spikers to the fourth set victory with a clutch performance, 25-21.
De La Salle ended its two-game slide and rose to 5-4, half-a-game ahead of fifth-running Ateneo.
FEU, meanwhile, went down to 6-3, still at third.
Kampton produced 23 points on 19 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces, while Ronquillo was just behind him with 22 points.
“Sabi ko nung fourth set pa lang, kapag nakuha namin itong fourth set amin na itong fifth set kasi magshishift na yung momentum,” said Ronquillo.
Maglinao was outstanding with 12 points and 23 excellent receptions, while Billie Anima added 10 points.
Calado erupted for 28 points on 25 attacks while Saavedra followed him with 23 points. Libero Bryce De Guzman tallied 34 excellent receptions.
De La Salle’s next opponent will be University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. FEU will also play that day against slumping University of the East.
