De La Salle University delivered a statement performance, overwhelming University of Santo Tomas, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23, to force a deciding match in their V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge semifinal duel at the Philsports Arena on Sunday, Sept. 22.
The second-seeded Green Spikers came out firing, taking full control from the onset and capping off a relentless showing to avenge their Game 1 defeat, where they fell, 25-22, 23-25, 15-25, 16-25, last Wednesday.
“Satisfied in a way kasi lahat ng pagkakamali namin na kinover up namin during training, eto lumabas ‘yung result. Happy for the team kasi nag-bounce back sila from Game 1,” said DLSU head coach Jose Roque, citing his wards’ adjustments.
The two squads will dispute the other championship slot on Wednesday.
Joshua Magalaman, who struggled for just five points in the series’ opener, led the charge for La Salle with a game-high 13 points, fueled by seven attacks, four blocks and two aces. His resurgence powered the Green Spikers’ equalizer, keeping their finals hopes alive against their third-ranked rivals.
Chris Hernandez added 11 points along with 11 excellent receptions, while Glen Ventura contributed nine markers, eight coming off attacks.
Despite missing key player Noel Kampton, La Salle drew crucial contributions from Yoyong Mendoza and Erc Layug, who each chipped in six points.
Jerico Adajar orchestrated the Green Spikers’ offense with 14 excellent sets, while also recording four points and 10 digs. Team captain Menard Guerrero held the fort defensively with 12 digs and 10 receptions.
La Salle seized the first two sets decisively but faced a serious challenge in the third, as UST battled back to tie at 23. But Hernandez came up with a crucial block on Al-Bukharie Sali’s attack, followed by Ventura’s off-the-block kill that sealed the victory and extended the series.
UST, missing reigning UAAP MVP Josh Ybanez, relied on Sali, who led the team with 10 points from seven attacks and three blocks, while Jan Julian Macam added six points and Gboy De Vega and Trevor Valera had five markers apiece.
