2 weeks Ago
NU Bulldogs clinch the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Final Four cast is complete in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament with defending champion National University securing the last twice-to-beat bonus and La Salle booking its third straight semifinals appearance on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Graduating stars Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao came to the rescue to seal La Salle’s Final Four entry and stave off the University of the Philippines, 11-25, 25-18, 25-21, 28-30, 15-9, before the Holy Week break.
After falling short in Set 4 and trailing 5-7 in the decider, La Salle scored seven of the next eight points ignited by Maglinao’s two straight attacks for a 12-8 lead. Kampton scored two of the Green Spikers’ last three points to seal their entry to the Final Four, tying third seed University of Santo Tomas with an 8-4 record and eliminating rival Ateneo from the race. “With the game, I think we really worked hard for it.
But like I always tell my team—whoever’s in front of us will always find a way to try and beat us. That’s why we have to keep fighting. That was our reminder to everyone, and the team really responded well,” La Salle coach Jose Roque said in Filipino.
Kampton powered the Green Spikers with 24 points, 15 excellent receptions, and five digs. Rui Ventura had 16 points. Season 86 2nd Best Middle Blocker Nat del Pilar added 11 points, while Maglinao added seven points, 16 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
“I don’t see it as a negative thing that the game went to a fifth set. What if we end up playing five-set matches in the Final Four, right? At least now we’re ready. We weren’t really used to playing full five-set games before, so it was actually great how we handled it.
” Kampton said. Setter Eco Adajar orchestrated La Salle’s offense with 24 excellent sets and nine digs, while reigning Best Libero and team captain Menard Guerrero made 15 digs and 15 excellent receptions. La Salle’s Noel Kampton in UAAP Season 87.
–UAAP PHOTO UP slid to a 3-9 card with Olayemi Raheem leading the way with 25 points, as Dan Nicolas added 16 points. Meanwhile, defending champion National University booked the last twice-to-beat advantage, joining idle leader Far Eastern University after taking down Ateneo, 30-28, 25-23, 25-16. The Bulldogs cruised to their fifth straight win to rise to an 11-2 record with Buds Buddin leading the charge with 15 points off 10 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to go with eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Leo Aringo tallied 12 points, seven digs, and six excellent receptions. Jan Ababanilla made the most of his first start with 11 points and seven digs. “Before we came here, we really set our mindset that we needed this game because it would be our advantage come the Final Four.
With the way my players showed up—no matter who I put in, they delivered—and I’m extremely thankful for their performance because in this kind of situation, where at any time I can call on anyone, they’re ready to perform,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .
Ateneo slid to a 6-7 record with Kennedy Batas carrying the cudgels with 12 points and eight excellent receptions. Amil Pacinio and Jian Salarzon added 11 and 10 points, respectively..
