MANILA, Philippines — University of the East played spoiler to La Salle’s final four bid with a stunning 25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 25-22 first win in the UAAP season 76 men’s volleyball tournament Sunday.
Winless for the first 13 games this season, the Red Warriors played their hearts out on their final assignment and pounced on the error-prone Green Archers.
While UE wanted to wrap up its dismal campaign on a winning note, La Salle badly needed victory to seal a berth in the final four.
Instead, the Green Archers are forced to face Adamson in a playoff game to determine who will complete the semifinals cast.
Ace Mandani led the Red Warriors’ last stand with 13 points while Angelone Soria and Lester Kim Sawal chipped in 11 markers apiece.
Raymark Woo had 16 points for the Green Archers, who gave away 31 points on miscues compared to UE’s 24.
In the other game, National University defeated third-running Far Eastern University, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16, to clinch the number one seed.
Edwin Tolentino and Reuben Inaudito paced the Bulldogs, who have a twice-to-beat edge in the final four, with 12 and 10 points, respectively.