Riding high on the momentum from their emphatic 25-18, 25-20, 25-23 victory last Sunday, the Green Spikers forced a sudden-death match, with the winner advancing to face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the championship series.
The best-of-three finals will begin on Sunday, also at the Pasig venue.
UST took the opener of their best-of-three semis series last week with a commanding comeback after dropping the opening set, claiming a 22-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-16 triumph. But La Salle responded fiercely in Game 2, dominating early and staying composed in the third set to clinch the win and keep their title-retention campaign alive.
“We need to stay hungrier,” said La Salle coach Jose Roque in Filipino, stressing the importance of focus and discipline in their system.
“Our attention to our game plan was key, and I think the initiative of the players to follow through on the coaches’ instructions was vital,” he added.
Despite the Game 2 setback, the Golden Spikers remain resolute and determined to secure the win and keep their hopes alive for a potential UST sweep of both the men's and women's titles.
Gametime is set for 4 p.m., with the victor earning a shot at the FEU Tamaraws for the men’s crown.
The women’s final will see the UST Golden Tigresses take on the FEU Lady Tamaraws at 3 p.m. on Sunday, setting the stage for what could be an exciting title clash between the España and Morayta-based squads.
Both La Salle and UST will be missing key players for this pivotal match with ace spiker Noel Kampton and back-to-back UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez currently in Italy with Alas Pilipinas, respectively.
Despite their absence, La Salle will lean on the towering presence of middle blocker Josh Magalaman, who rebounded from a quiet five-point performance in Game 1 to register 13 points in Game 2. Playmaker Jerico Adajar is also expected to maintain his steady form.
UST, on the other hand, will rely on Gboy De Vega, along with middle blockers Trevor Valera and Paul Colinares, to lead the charge for the Golden Spikers in their bid for a finals berth.
