La Salle shoots down UE for third win in UAAP men's volley

MANILA, Philippines — De La Salle University rallied from four points down in the first set, taking that momentum to the next two for a 26-24, 25-13, 25-23 win over undermanned University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

With the Red Warriors ahead 24-20 in the opening period, Noel Kampton and MJ Fortuna scored two apiece to force a deuce before an attack error by the opponent pulled the Green Spikers ahead, 25-24.

Then senior spiker Kampton capped the comeback with a solid kill block to give La Salle a 26-24 first set.

The Green Spikers then capitalized on that momentum, taking a commanding 25-13 second after the Red Warriors lost their lone setter for this game when Dave Poquita suffered an apparent left foot injury at 5-2. He was not able to return.

"I just reminded the team that whatever the result may be, fight for it. Even if UE's setter was no longer there, it doesn't mean they would just give up the game, so I told them to keep on going," said La Salle head coach Jose Roque after his team rose to 3-2 at solo fourth.

Main setter Andre Bicar also did not play due to a sickness. Wing spiker Steven Aligayon played setter the rest of the way.

JJ Rodriguez's anticipation on a floating ball gave La Salle the match point in the third before Chris Hernandez finished the game with a through-the-block hit for the win in one hour and 36 minutes.

"I'm just thankful because in the previous games, I wasn't playing at my best. I'm grateful to the coaches for still giving me the chance to show my potential," said transferee Fortuna, who had a game-high 13 points on 10-of-20 spikes and three blocks along with five digs.

Vince Maglinao, who rates himself at 90 percent healthy back from a grade 2 right ankle sprain, made his first double-digit game this season with 11 points along with eight digs as well, while Kampton ended up with eight points in two sets played.

De La Salle will next face Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, still at the Pasay venue.

UE stayed winless in six outings. It looks to end the first round with a win when it matches up with Ateneo next Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Roy Piojo paced the Red Warriors anew with 10 points while newcomer Raquim Aceron had nine points, 11 receptions, and five digs. TMT