UAAP: La Salle rallies past FEU to push men’s volleyball Final Four bid
MANILA, Philippines — Noel Kampton and JM Ronquillo formed a potent combo as La Salle stunned Far Eastern University in five sets, 25-22, 25-27, 20-25, 25-21, 15-12, to boost its Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Kampton uncorked 23 points built on 19 attacks, two aces, and two blocks, while Ronquillo had 22 points from 20 kills and two blocks to end the Green Spikers’ two-game skid.
The hard-hitting pair propelled La Salle from a 1-2 match deficit and delivered the killer blows in the fifth set with Kampton nailing the game-clinching attack to end the two-hour and 48-minute game.
“I told them in the fourth set if we get this, the fifth set will be ours because the momentum will shift on our side,” said Ronquillo in Filipino.
Paul Serrano dished out 22 excellent sets, Vince Maglinao delivered for the Green Spikers with 12 points and 23 excellent receptions while Billie Anima added 10 markers.
La Salle improved to a 5-4 record, rising to the solo fourth place.
“From back-to-back losses to NU, I told my players that we have to win this. It will boost our morale and push us to work hard,” said La Salle coach Arnold Laniog.
League’s top scorer Mark Calado’s 28-point explosion went for naught as FEU dropped to a 6-3 record in the third seed.
Calado had 25 kills, two aces, and a block. Rookie Dryx Saavedra backed him up with 23 points, while Martin Bugaoan added 11 markers.