UAAP: La Salle beats Ateneo, UST cruises in men’s volleyball

La Salle’s Noel Kampton during a game against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball second round.-UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle redeemed itself at the expense of rival Ateneo in five grueling sets, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Spikers returned to the win column following a crucial loss to University of Santo Tomas on Saturday.

Noel Kampton, who was coming off a 30-point effort in the loss to UST, continued his string of stellar games with 27 points to push La Salle to a 6-4 record.

READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU improves to 8-0, La Salle downs NU

“I told Coach [Jose Roque] not to put me in anymore because the players who replaced me were playing really well,” said Kampton, who celebrated his 25th birthday.

“But Coach told me, ‘No, I trust you. Even though there are times when you have an off-game, my confidence in you has only grown.’ He told me this is his birthday gift to me.”

Kampton also recorded 27 points in La Salle’s four-set win over Ateneo in their first-round clash last month.

Ateneo didn’t go down without a fight, especially Kennedy Batas, who finished with 26 points.

Jian Salarzon added 20 points for the Blue Eagles, who also own a 6-4 slate.

READ: UAAP: NU survives, La Salle wins 3rd straight win men’s volleyball

UST eases past Adamson

Meanwhile, UST made easy work of Adamson, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18.

Josh Ybañez top scored for the Golden Spikers with 13 points while JJ Macam finished with 12 as UST (6-4) forced a three-way tie at No. 3 with La Salle and Ateneo.

“I think the team is responding well to the instructions,” said coach Odjie Mamon.

“They followed the game plan, our execution was good. There were lapses, but it’s still part of the match.”

The Soaring Falcons dropped to 2-8 as Jude Aguilar struggled with just four points.