SPIKE. De La Salle's JM Ronquillo (No. 1) scores against UP's Louis Gaspar Gamban (No. 2) during the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 4, 2024. The Green Spikers won, 25-20, 25-16, 25-14. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – De La Salle University stamped its class over University of the Philippines, 25-20, 25-16, 25-14, to stay at No. 3 in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.
JM Ronquillo and Vince Maglinao scored 12 points each as the Green Spikers bounced back from a two-game skid to improve their record to 6-3.
“Hindi naman nawawala every training I keep on reminding them na towards the end of second round na tayo, kailangan nakatuon na talaga tayo. Kung 100 percent nakatutok kami nung first round, ngayon dodoblehin pa talaga namin (I keep on reminding them every training that we are towards the end of the second round, we need to be really focused. If we were 100 percent focused in the first round, now we will double it)," said De La Salle head coach Jose Roque after the 55-minute match.
La Salle had 12 blocks, including five from Nathaniel Del Pilar and four from Billie Jean-Henri Anima. Both players finished with eight points. Eco Adajar had one ace but made 20 excellent sets.
De La Salle will face University of the East on April 9 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, hoping for a win to boost its semifinal bid.
Angelo Lagando had 10 attacks, one block and one ace, while Louis Gaspar Gamban added nine points for the Fighting Maroons, who are winless in 10 outings.
UP will be up against University of Santo Tomas, last season's runner-up, on April 10 at the MOA Arena. (PNA)
