De La Salle University kept University of the Philippines winless, 25-23, 25-13, 25-22, to create a three-way tie atop the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
The Green Spikers scored their fourth straight victory to join Far Eastern University and National University at 5-1.
“Talagang we see to it na tapusin namin nang ganito. Not to belittle UP but yun yung gusto ng team eh, kailangan makapondo kami ngayong first round,” said De La Salle head coach Jose Roque after the 68-minute match.
After routing the Fighting Maroons in the second, the Green Spikers needed to claw again in the third, banking on Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao late to trump the effort of Louis Gamban and Angelo Lagando, 25-22.
De La Salle saw four players in double figures in the straight-set affair with Vince Maglinao leading the way with 14 points and 10 excellent receptions.
“Masaya na nagbubunga yung pinaghihirapan namin sa training pero at the same time, hindi pa rin kami contented,” said Maglinao.
Kampton produced 13 points, JM Ronquillo added 12, while Nathaniel Del Pilar finished with 11 including three blocks.
Up next for De La Salle is a head-on clash with NU on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Jessie Rubin had eight points while Lagando and Angelo Lipata made seven apiece as the Fighting Maroons slid to 0-5.
UP, meanwhile, chases its first win on Wednesday against struggling University of Santo Tomas.
