The La Salle Green Spikers continued their climb in the standings, outlasting the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
La Salle weathered a late UP rally in the fourth set to secure the bounce-back win.
Riding their third-set momentum, the Fighting Maroons built a 19-16 lead behind Olayemi Raheem. But the Green Spikers responded, with Yoyong Mendoza, Eugene Gloria, and Issa Ousseini combining to erase the deficit and tie the frame at 23-all.
La Salle Making Their Last Games Count
Ousseini then put La Salle at match point with a block on Tommy Castrodes, 24-23, only for Raheem to answer and extend the set. A costly error by Milven Francisco handed the Green Spikers another opportunity, which Ousseini converted with a service ace to seal the victory.
“Before this game, sabi ko hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. We still have games left — isa-isahin lang natin. Hindi pa tapos ang season. Kung saan man tayo dalhin, lalaban pa rin kami,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.
Ousseini led La Salle with 17 points built on 13 attacks, 3 blocks, and 1 ace. Mendoza matched his output with 17 points and added 10 excellent digs, while Gloria contributed 15 points and 13 excellent receptions. Chris Hernandez chipped in 11 points.
Setter Nathan Bangit orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets, while Sherwin Retiro anchored the floor defense with 8 excellent digs and 8 excellent receptions.
For UP, Raheem delivered a game-high 24 points built on 21 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace. Abram Robles added 12 points, while Angelo Lipata contributed 10.
La Salle will next face league-leading FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, April 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Earlier that day, UP takes on the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 9:00 a.m. as it looks to keep its Final Four hopes alive.
