Kampton offensive outburst leads Green Spikers over rivals

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Standings

FEU             6    0

NU               5    1

UST             4    2

DLSU          4    2

Ateneo        3    3

AdU             1    5

UP               1    5

UE               0    6

Games Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum

9 a.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Men)

11 a.m. - FEU vs DLSU (Men)

1 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Women)

3 p.m. - FEU vs DLSU (Women)

Noel Kampton fired out 27 points to propel De La Salle University to a 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 victory over rival Ateneo de Manila University, notching its third consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Aside from racking up their third straight victory, more importantly, the Green Spikers broke free from a tie at fourth place with the Blue Eagles, now sharing the third place with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers with identical 4-2 records.

The victory also allowed La Salle to achieve their third straight head-to-head win over Ateneo after sweeping their elimination round matchups in Season 86.

“Super motivated to win today kasi we’re fighting for our pride, school pride na ito ‘eh. Sobrang big morale boost din nito kasi we beated our rival school,” said Kampton, who delivered 27 points on 23 attacks, three blocks, and one ace with six excellent receptions and five excellent digs.

The Blue Eagles turned an early 11-14 deficit to a slim 18-17 lead, but Kampton stood his ground, scoring three consecutive attacks to regain a critical 21-20 cushion.

Jian Salarzon quickly responded with a crosscourt hit to knot the match at 21-all, but Rui Ventura rose to the occasion with three consecutive points, while Vince Maglinao scored the game-sealing attack to complete the four-set triumph in one hour and 55 minutes.

Holding a slim 21-19 third set cushion, the Green Spikers banked on three crucial Blue Eagles errors -- a service error from Jetlee Gopio and two double contact violations on Lorenzo Gutierrez -- and an offspeed hit from graduating spiker Noel Kampton to build a 2-1 set advantage.

Tied at 20-all in the second set, La Salle leaned on the offensive firepower of Ventura and Kampton down the line to level the match at 1-set a piece.

The Green Spikers inched within 21-19 in the opening set, but the Blue Eagles uncorked a pivotal 4-1 run, capped with a through the block hit from Kennedy Batas, an ace from Amil Pacinio, and a service error from Maglinao, to run away with the first set.

“Proud ako kasi nagawa namin yung plano namin and at the same time, lahat ng pagbubuhos namin ng panahon, somehow ito yung naging resulta. Ito naman yung goal namin for now bago matapos yung last game ng first round, we see to it na magawa at masulit namin yung kundisyon namin,” La Salle head coach Jose Roque said.

Ventura provided ample support with 13 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and two aces with one excellent dig, while Maglinao chipped in seven points, six excellent receptions, and four excellent digs in the win.

Eco Adajar steered the Green Spikers’ offense with 12 excellent sets and one attack, while team captain Menard Guerrero anchored their defense with 20 excellent receptions and 17 excellent digs.

La Salle will face an undefeated Far Eastern University side on Saturday, March 15, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum to close the first round.

After a convincing win over UST last Sunday, Ateneo slipped to solo fifth place with an even 3-3 card.

Batas led the Blue Eagles in the losing effort with 22 points on 20 attacks and two aces with 10 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs, while Salarzon delivered 19 points on 16 attacks and three blocks with nine excellent receptions and five excellent digs.

Pacinio provided 14 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Brian Castro chipped in seven points on six attacks and one block.

Gutierrez tossed 15 excellent sets and three points on two attacks and one block, while team captain Lance de Castro contributed 12 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.

Ateneo looks to end the round on a high in a match against a winless University of the East squad at the same date and venue.