UAAP men’s volleyball: La Salle forces playoff for Final Four bonus

La Salle Green Spikers’ JM Ronquillo in a UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle forced a playoff for the last twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four against defending champion National University after ending the elimination round with six straight wins in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament 

JM Ronquillo unleashed 21 points on 60 percent attack rate to lift La Salle past the No.4 University of Santo Tomas,25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18, in front of a jampacked Saturday crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Vince Maglinao also chipped in 19 points and six digs for the Green Spikers. Noel Kampton had 18 points and nine excellent receptions. Nat Del Pillar nailed seven blocks for the second straight game to finish with eight points, as libero Menard Guerrero tallied 16 receptions and 11 digs.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

La Salle finished with an 11-3 record tied with NU as they collide in a virtual best-of-three semifinal series starting next week. UST dropped to an 8-6 record facing the No.1 and twice-to-beat Far Eastern University in the Final Four.

“Mahirap yung pinagdaanan ng team pero every game talaga gagawin namin ang best namin,” said La Salle coach Jose Roque. “Gagawin namin lahat para makuha namin yung twice-to-beat advantage.”

UST Golden Spikers’ star Josh Ybanez gets treated for cramps. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez fought through leg cramps late in the third set but still delivered 24 points and 19 excellent receptions. Gboy De Vega contributed 15 points, while Sherwin Umandal added 12 points.

READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: NU ends top seed FEU’s win streak

Meanwhile,  Angelo Lagando and Dan Nicolas conspired in the fifth set to complete the University of the Philippines’ come-from-behind 25-19, 18-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-9 win over the University of the East.

Louis Gamban delivered a game-high 20 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 11 digs. Lagando had 15 points. Nicolas contributed 14 points including five blocks, while Jaivee Malabanan added 11.

“We’re very happy for where we are right now. We struggled all the way but I think the team has already improved a lot. Results are coming out, we’re very very satisfied with what’s happening,” said Vip Isada, a champion car racer and former national team standout who made a return as UP head coach this year.

Angelo Reyes delivered 15 points built on seven blocks as the Red Warriors finished last with a 1-13 card on a seven-game slide. Joshua Pozas and Shan Camaymayan tallied 13 points each, while Steven Aligayon had 12.