UAAP: UP ends 10-game skid vs La Salle in men’s volleyball; Ybañez powers UST past Ateneo

The University of the Philippines snapped a 10-game losing streak against De La Salle University with a 25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22 victory in UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons’ last win over the Green Spikers came on March 8, 2017, during the second round of UAAP Season 79.

Raheem Olayemi delivered 29 points built on 25 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Milven Francisco Jr. added 11 points as UP improved to 2-1, bouncing back from a loss to Ateneo de Manila University.

“Medyo naging predictable ‘yung atake namin nung third set. La Salle is a very good blocking team as well, so in the fourth set, in-address talaga namin na kailangan ma-slow down namin ‘yung serve so we can have better control of the pass and distribute the ball much better,” said UP assistant coach Hannah Nagtalon. Head coach Carlo Cabatingan was under the weather.

Issa Ousseini scored 14 points for La Salle, while Rui Ventura and Eugene Gloria chipped in 13 and 14 points, respectively, as the Green Spikers dropped to 0-3.

Earlier, Josh Ybañez powered the University of Santo Tomas to a 19-25, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11 win over Ateneo.

Ybañez erupted for 29 points on 27 attacks and two aces, while JJ Macam contributed 12 points as UST improved to 2-1.

The victory overshadowed Emman Okeke’s 26-point performance for the Blue Eagles. Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio Jr. added 17 and 13 points, respectively, as Ateneo fell to 1-2.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News