De La Salle University secured its spot in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Final Four for a second straight year after booting out Adamson University, 26-24, 25-17, 25-23 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Green Spikers also kept alive their twice-to-beat hopes by matching National University at second with 9-3 records.
“Happy naman. Ito naman siguro ‘yung pinaghahandaan namin after last season. Still somehow hindi pa rin kami ganon kakumbinsido. We’ll try our best na matapos namin ‘yung last two games ng maayos,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque, who also hit his team’s complacency in the match.
The Green Spikers, who have an impressive preseason campaign, were already ahead by five late in the third, 22-17, but three straight errors from Noel Kampton, Jules De Jesus, and JM Ronquillo allowed the Soaring Falcons to close the gap to just two, 20-22.
Ahmed Tahiluddin tried to keep Adamson afloat with crucial hits followed by another error by De Jesus, 23-24, but De Jesus atoned for it with a booming crosscourt kill for the De La Salle win in one hour and 32 minutes.
Ronquillo spearheaded the Green Spikers’ charge to the semis with 16 points, including two blocks, and four digs.
Kampton chipped in 12 points and 13 excellent receptions while Vince Maglinao provided 11 points as well.
De La Salle will cap the elims play against Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday and University of Santo Tomas on April 27.
Adamson dropped to 4-8, missing the Final Four for the second consecutive year, leaving the race for the last semis spot between UST (7-5) and Ateneo (6-6).
Jude Aguilar paced the Soaring Falcons with nine points while Marc Paulino had seven points and 12 receptions. Tahiluddin also posted six points while only playing in the third frame.
Adamson’s final two games will be against NU on Saturday and Ateneo on April 24.
Games Saturday (Philsports Arena)
10 a.m. – FEU vs UP (Men)
12 noon – AdU vs NU (Men)
2 p.m. – FEU vs UP (Women)
4 p.m. – AdU vs NU (Women)