De La Salle University eliminated rival Ateneo de Manila University in four tight sets, 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, to force a tie for the number two spot in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Green Spikers remained in the hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive after securing their fifth consecutive victory, which forced a tie with defending champion National University at the second spot with identical 10-3 records.
La Salle’s win also meant that University of Sto. Tomas, who won via straight sets against University of the East, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16, earlier in the day, will join Far Eastern University, the Bulldogs, and the Green Spikers in the Final Four.
“Well, masaya ako dahil nagawa namin yung plan namin. We’ll just have to keep focusing dun sa plan namin na matapos itong second round nang maayos,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.
The result also formalized the Final Four pairings, with top-ranked FEU and fourth-place UST renewing their rivalry, while NU and the De La Salle colliding, with the twice-to-beat slot yet to be settled.
After splitting the first two sets, the Green Spikers managed to secure the extended third frame after a crucial backrow attack from Noel Kampton and an attack error from Jeric Sendon broke a 24-all deadlock in their favor.
La Salle then was able to maintain its distance late in the fourth frame, spreading a three-point advantage into five following a service error from Cyrus De Guzman and a cross-court attack from Vince Maglinao, 23-18.
JM Ronquillo committed an attack error in the following play but a miscommunication on the receive by Ateneo pushed the Green Spikers at match point, 24-19, before Ronquillo wrapped things up with a booming ace.
“Siguro nandun pa rin kami sa paghahanap namin ng improvement every after ng game namin kasi hindi kami pwede makuntento sa anong meron kami. We have to keep on improving para sa next games,” said Maglinao.
Maglinao spearheaded La Salle’s balanced offensive strike, scoring a team-high 19 points on 17 attacks and two blocks to go along with nine excellent digs and seven excellent receptions after almost two hours of action.
Team captain Ronquillo finished with 15 points on 13 attacks, one ace, and one block while Kampton delivered 15 as well, laced with 16 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs. Nathaniel Del Pilar had 12 points, built on seven blocks and five attacks.
Eco Adajar tossed 17 excellent sets to steer the offense while Menard Guerrero took the lead defensively with 17 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs in the win.
The Green Spikers aim to extend its winning run to six games against the Golden Spikers on Saturday, 4:00 p.m. at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles remained in the fifth spot after sliding to 6-7 in the standings.
Jian Salarzon paced Ateneo with 23 points, 22 of which came from attacks, to go along with 11 excellent receptions and six excellent digs while De Guzman came up with 14 points on 10 attacks, three kill blocks, and one ace.
Ateneo will try to end its campaign on a winning note against Adamson University on Wednesday, 10:00 a.m., also at Araneta.
Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10 a.m. – Ateneo vs AdU (Men)
12 noon – NU vs FEU (Men)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs AdU (Women)
4 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Women)