Strong finish lifts La Salle past UST

De La Salle University thwarted the University of Santo Tomas with a strong fourth set windup, 25-19, 27-25, 23-25, 25-20, to notch its second consecutive win in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila late Wednesday.

The Green Spikers drew strength from their quartet of new faces – Joshua Magalaman, Eugene Gloria, MJ Fortuna, and Chris Hernandez – as they squeaked out a tight win in the second set, then overcame a third-set slip with a big finishing kick in the fourth, virtually repeating their encounter from last year’s V-League semifinals.

“As much as possible, talagang every game pinaghahandaan namin. No matter kung sino yung kalaban, paghahandaan lang namin. I’m happy na ginawa naming preparations, nagawa namin sa game,” said DLSU head coach Jose Roque. 

Magalaman delivered a 13-point game for La Salle, including nine attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Gloria and Fortuna backed him up with 12 points apiece.

After a tough third-set setback, the Green Spikers turned a shaky 19-18 edge into a five-point win, marking their second straight victory in the pre-season tilt.

The Green Spikers missed the chance to sweep the Golden Spikers as Eugene Gloria fouled up, allowing the España-based squad to extend the match.

La Salle capitalized on UST’s 10 errors in the extended second set to seize a two-set advantage, capped by an MJ Fortuna dump and a block by Hernandez on Al-Bukharie Sali.

Behind back-to-back hits from Eric Layug, the Green Spikers raced to a 6-1 lead in the opening set and stayed ahead for the rest of the way.

“The third set was all about the breaks. Somehow we controlled it, but doubts started creeping in. I told them, why worry when we know we can finish it,” added Roque.

UST also relied on its two rookies. Jan Macam scored 17 points on 12 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, while Sali put in a 16-point game.