De La Salle University defeated University of Santo Tomas to end the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament elimination round.
The Green Spikers defeated the Golden Spikers, 25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18, during their faceoff on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
JM Ronquillo led the Taft-based squad with 21 points and two digs and Vince Maglinao followed with 19 markers and six each of digs and receptions.
Noel Kampton was also vital in the win as he fired 18 alongside nine receptions and six digs, while Eco Adajar poured in 16 excellent sets for DLSU,
UST actually led DLSU in attack points, 60-59, but it was their 27 errors against the 18 of the Green Spikers that proved to be crucial for Arhur Mamon’s squad.
This allowed Jose Roque’s squad to overcome a second-set defeat that UST won after a back-and-forth affair.
On the other hand, Josh Ybañez posted 24 points, 19 receptions, and four digs for the Golden Spikers, and following him was Gboy De Vega who had 15, and Sherwin Umandal who finished with 12.
Joshua Avila tossed 14 excellent sets for the España-based hitters.
La Salle and National University are now set to clash next Saturday to determine the last squad that will enter the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Their faceoff is a virtual best-of-three series as DLSU and the Bulldogs will be battling again in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, UST will be going up against top seed Far Eastern University in the Final Four with the Tamaraws holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
La Salle ended the elims with an 11-3 record, while UST is at 8-6.
