JM Ronquillo of the La Salle Green Spikers in a UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – La Salle forced a playoff for the last two-time bonus in the Final Four against defending champion National University after ending the knockout round with six straight wins in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament
JM Ronquillo scored 21 points with a 60 percent attack rate to lead La Salle past No. 4 University of Santo Tomas 25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18 in front of a home crowd packed on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Vince Maglinao also scored 19 points and six digs for the Green Spikers. Noel Kampton had 18 points and nine excellent receptions. Nat Del Pillar made seven blocks for the second game in a row and finished with eight points, while libero Menard Guerrero recorded 16 receptions and 11 digs.
SCHEDULE: Second volleyball round of UAAP season 86
La Salle finished with an 11-3 record tied with NU as they clash in a best-of-three virtual semifinals series that begins next week. UST fell to an 8-6 record facing No. 1 and twice-beaten Far Eastern University in the Final Four.
“The team has gone through a difficult time, but we will give our best in each game,” said La Salle coach José Roque. “We will do everything to get the two-fold advantage.”
UST Golden Spikers star Josh Ybanez receives treatment for cramps. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez battled leg cramps late in the third set, but still had 24 points and 19 excellent receptions. Gboy De Vega contributed 15 points while Sherwin Umandal added 12 points.
READ: UAAP men's volleyball: NU ends FEU's winning streak
About that, Angelo Lagando and Dan Nicolas conspired in the fifth set to complete University of the Philippines' 25-19, 18-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-9 victory over University of the East.
Louis Gamban delivered a game-high 20 points, 13 excellent receptions and 11 digs. Lagando scored 15 points. Nicolas contributed 14 points, including five blocks, while Jaivee Malabanan added 11.
“We are very happy with where we are now. We fought all the time, but I think the team has improved a lot. The results are coming out, we are very satisfied with what is happening”, said Vip Isada, champion driver and former national team standout who returned as UP coach this year.
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Angelo Reyes had 15 points built on seven blocks as the Red Warriors finished last with a 1-13 card in a seven-game slide. Joshua Pozas and Shan Camaymayan added 13 points each, while Steven Aligayon had 12.
