La Salle spikers down NU; Adamson keeps lead in fourth

Members of the UST men’s volleyball team warm up before their game against Adamson Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Mark Gil Alfafara scored 23 points for UST but it wasn’t enough as the Tiger Spikers lost in four sets. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson kept its slight lead in fourth place following a 25-21, 22-25, 28-26, 25-17 win over also-ran University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 76 men’s volleyball tournament Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Michael Sudaria fired 30 points to lead the Falcons, who improved to a precarious 7-5 slate with the De La Salle Green Spikers breathing down their necks at 6-6 for the last Final Four slot.

La Salle continues to threaten Adamson after picking up a huge win over top-seeded National University in the other game, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21.

The Green Spikers’ tandem of Reymark Woo and Red Christensen, who combined for 40 points, paved the way as the defending champions Bulldogs absorbed just their second setback in 12 outings.

UST, which will miss the Final Four for the second straight year, pushed Adamson to its limit in the third set with Mark Gil Alfafara leading the way before the Falcons mustered enough strength to squeeze their way out a gruelling exchange.

Adamson and La Salle will meet on Wednesday in a crucial tiff that may well complete the semifinals cast. A win by the Falcons over the Green Spikers will get them into the semis.

But if La Salle wins, it will tie Adamson, which wraps up its elimination round campaign against second-running Ateneo, in fourth place with a lighter opponent left in winless University of the East.

NU, Ateneo and FEU have already secured the three semifinal slots.

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