UP fumbles 3rd set lead, bows down to La Salle

University of the Philippines fell to De La Salle University, 25-23, 13-25, 24-26, 15-25, in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Despite being on its way to take a two sets to one lead in the third set at 21-17 and being up 24-22, a series of errors and misreceptions allowed the Green Spikers to take control of the game.

After the third set loss, the Green Spikers were eager to close the match out, going on an 11-4 scoring spree at 15-7 and despite sparks of hope from Olayemi Raheem and Gelay Lagando, the lead was already too big for the Fighting Maroons to catch up to.

None of the Fighting Maroons had an answer to La Salle’s serve, sneaking in eight aces compared to UP’s two.

What spelled the difference, however, was the Fighting Maroons’ errors, giving away 31 points against the Green Spikers’ 19.

Photos from UAAP Media

Converted open spiker Raheem led the losing effort with 18 points all from attacks, while Lagando scored 11 off of eight attacks, two blocks, and an ace.

Noel Kampton top scored for La Salle with 21 points on 17 attacks and four aces, while Rui Ventura finished with 14 on nine spikes, three blocks, and two aces.

The Fighting Maroons are still looking for its second win of the season at 1-3, placing them at joint sixth-seventh place with Adamson University, just above the still-winless UE Red Warriors. The Green Spikers, on the other hand, take the joint fourth-fifth spot with the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 2-2.

Up next for UP are the UST Golden Tigers at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 5, in the same venue. Meanwhile, La Salle is set to face the UE Red Warriors next at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 8, also at the Mall of Asia Arena.