UAAP: Yoyong Mendoza sparks La Salle win over NU on dad’s death anniv
La Salle’s Yoyong Mendoza tries to score against NU’s Jade Disquitado in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — On the 16th death anniversary of their father on Sunday, brothers Yoyong and Yuan Mendoza were on opposing sides of the court, representing their respective teams in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament.
Inspired by the memory of his late dad, Yoyong sparked La Salle’s major upset over reigning five-time champion National University, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10, at Mall of Asia Arena.
Seeing her younger brother on the other end also made the game more memorable for Yoyong, as both surely made their family proud.
READ: UAAP: FEU, NU continue winning ways in men’s volleyball
Yoyong Mendoza on seeing his brother Yuan on the other side of the court after their teams collide on the death anniversary of their father. #UAAPSeason88 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/SuwXdB7ZQf
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 15, 2026
“It’s our dad’s death anniversary, and that made this moment really special, especially since my opponent was my brother. I never expected that both of us would end up on the [UAAP promotional] poster; it used to just be a dream to play in the UAAP,” said Mendoza in Filipino.
Mendoza scored four of his 12 points in the fifth set as the Green Spikers recorded their third straight win.
“So many thoughts were running through my mind [in the fifth], but what came through the most was my willingness and eagerness to win,” said Mendoza.
“I had my teammates with me in every swing, every move on the court, so I was able to give my full game because I was playing with them.”
Chris Hernandez led La Salle with 18 points from 14 kills, two blocks, and two aces. Issa Ousseini and Eugen Gloria added 14 points each, as La Salle rose to a 3-4 record, tying Ateneo at No. 4.
“For me, [in the second round] we expect to see a stronger, more confident Green Spikers. Our season started shaky, but we’re finding our groove, and our faith in each other hasn’t gone away. That’s what keeps us going, and maybe that’s why we keep winning because we have each other,” said Mendoza.
READ: UAAP: La Salle gets first win in men’s volleyball
Leo Ordiales’ 22-point effort for NU went for naught as they ended the first round with a 5-2 record. Jade Disquitado had 18 points and 17 excellent receptions, while Buds Buddin added 13 points and 12 receptions.
Yuan, a rookie for NU, didn’t play, but a proud Yoyong believes the best is yet to come for his sibling.
“I’m still looking forward to playing against him in the future, and I wish him good luck,” said Yoyong.
Meanwhile, Lance Flestado unleashed a career-high 28 points to save Adamson from a meltdown against a gritty University of the Philippines, led by Olayemi Raheem’s 35-point explosion, 25-21, 28-26, 22-25, 25-27, 15-13.
The Falcons blew a two-set lead, as Raheem carried the Fighting Maroons to force a decider, where they continued to fight toe-to-toe.
Tied at 13, Flestado drilled his 28th point with a cross-court kill before Kobe Aca-ac’s attempt to force a deuce for UP went straight to the antenna that sealed Adamson’s triumph after two hours and 21 minutes.
Rookie Flestado, whose previous career-high was six points, proved his worth with 26 attacks, a block, and an ace.
Ahmed Tahiluddin added 12 points alongside an impressive 33 excellent receptions out of 41 attempts, while Joel Menor also contributed 12 points. John Gay paced Adamson with 31 excellent sets and tallied seven points, four attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
“The team really gave their all and worked together. After we won the first two sets, I knew UP would adjust, and of course, my instructions were that since the other team was adapting, we also had to adjust,” said Adamson coach Raffy Mosuela.
Adamson tied UP at 2-5 in the standings for sixth and seventh places, just one game behind Ateneo (3-4) in the race for the final Final Four berth.
Olayemi, who had 33 kills and two blocks, tied Bryan Bagunas for the fourth-most points in UAAP men’s volleyball history. Bagunas had 35 points for NU in a Game 2 win over Far Eastern University in the Season 81 Finals on May 16, 2019.
Ateneo’s Marck Espejo still holds the record with 55 points, followed by De La Salle’s Raymark Woo with 39. Espejo and University of Santo Tomas’ Mark Alfafara also had 37-point games.
UP’s Tommy Castrodes added 17 points and 18 excellent receptions against his high school alma mater.
