De La Salle University frustrated the error-prone University of Santo Tomas, claiming a rousing 26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 25-15 win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
In a battle of preseason champions, the 2023 V-League champions Green Spikers prevailed to forge a tie at the second spot with the 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup holders Golden Spikers at 2-1.
That leaves Far Eastern University as the lone undefeated team in the eight-team field.
“Matibay talaga ang UST kaya yun din ang focus namin ngayon. Somehow, maganda yung naging resulta dahil sa time na ibinigay namin sa training,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.
After the first three sets went tight until the end, the Green Spikers unleashed all their blows in the fourth as Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao linked up for the blowout 25-15 clincher.
It was also Kampton along with multiple errors from UST that lifted La Salle to a 2-1 set lead. That turned a 16-14 affair to a huge 24-19 lead before Josh Ybañez’s pipe attack error ultimately ended the set.
“Coming from a loss against FEU, nag-motivate lang sa akin na napakaaga ng pagkatalong yun. Naging play ko naman against UST, mas maraming magandang pasa ngayon. Kaya feel ko mas maraming excellent sets yung nagawa ko,” said La Salle playmaker Eco Adajar on his 24 excellent sets performance.
Kampton led the Green Spikers in scoring with 18 points and 14 excellent receptions while JM Ronquillo and Maglinao got 16 points apiece as well.
The latter also had 20 excellent receptions and five digs.
Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez paced the Golden Spikers with 20 points and 22 excellent receptions but his team committed 40 errors, including 15 right away in the opening period.
It did not help the cause of UST that it lost main gunner Gboy De Vega (eight points) midway through the second set due to an apparent ankle injury. During the frame, head coach Odjie Mamon also received a red card for misconduct.
La Salle looks to build on this big win when it returns on Saturday against Ateneo de Manila University.
Meanwhile, UST aims to bounce back when it tangles with FEU on Sunday.
Both matches will be held at the Pasay venue at 12:00 PM.
