UAAP: La Salle downs Adamson for fourth straight win; Ateneo outlasts UST in five-setter

De La Salle University defeated Adamson University 25-20, 25-20, 26-28, 33-31, to secure its fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Issa Ousseini powered the Green Spikers with 26 points built on 22 attacks and four blocks, along with three receptions. Eugene Gloria added an all-around performance with 17 points, 20 receptions, and 10 digs as La Salle improved to a 4-3 record.

Rui Ventura chipped in 15 points, while Chris Hernandez contributed 12 markers for La Salle.

“Gaya ng na-mention ko ng last time na interview, this second round, we will try to be more aggressive in a way. If possible, kung papalarin kami every game, mapanalo namin, okay. Somehow, ganoon naman yung preparation namin na one game at a time, and then we will see kung saan kami pupulutin,” Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque said.

On the other side, Richard Besorio led Adamson with 22 points, while Lance Flestado and Joel Menor added 11 and 10 points, respectively, as the Soaring Falcons dropped to 2-6.

Earlier, Ateneo de Manila University outlasted University of Santo Tomas in a five-set thriller, 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 16-25, 15-9.

Kennedy Batas bounced back with 19 points on 17 attacks, alongside 23 receptions and seven digs. Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio Jr. added 16 and 13 points, respectively, in Ateneo’s victory.

For UST, Josh Ybañez tallied 21 points, 11 receptions, and eight digs, while Al-Bukhanie Sali chipped in 13 points in the losing effort.

Ateneo improved to 4-4, while UST slipped to 5-3.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News