Pasay: With nothing but pride at stake, De La Salle University denied defending champion National University an outright twice-to-beat semifinal incentive with a 16-25, 26-24, 20-25, 26-24, 17-15 victory Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 men's volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
According to Philippines News Agency, outside hitters Chris Emmanuel Hernandez and Uriel Mendoza delivered 17 points each as the Green Spikers ended their campaign with a 5-9 win-loss slate. They failed to reach the Final Four for the first time since Season 81 (2019). La Salle also beat NU, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10, on March 15.
"We just want to finish our season well. Even though we said we wouldn't make it [to the Final Four], we also wanted to show that this is La Salle. We had setbacks and encountered problems, but we see to it that we show who we really are," La Salle coach Jose Roque said.
Eugene Gloria chipped in 16 points, Eric Paulo had 11, and Michael John Fortuna and Issa Ousseini added seven points each. Leo Ordinales finished with 28 points while Jade Alex Disquitado had 19 points for NU.
After the Bulldogs tied at 14-all in the fifth set, Hernandez's attack put the Green Spikers ahead, 16-15. Michaelo Buddin then went for a crosscourt hit that was initially ruled a check ball, but La Salle successfully challenged for a block touch to seal the win after two hours and 12 minutes.
"For me, we'll really persevere because we've been through a lot this season as a team. Next year, we'll figure out how to manage it. We promise to do even better. We'll really do better next season to get to the Final Four," Hernandez, who also had 19 excellent receptions and 12 digs, said.
Ezer Jake Regidor dished out 29 excellent sets, while rookie libero Sherwin Retiro tallied nine receptions and seven digs. Buddin finished with 16 points, followed by Obed Mukaba with 11 points for NU (10-3), which will try to snare the No. 2 position anew when it faces University of Santo Tomas (9-4) on April 22. A playoff will ensue in case of a UST win that will tie it with NU at 10-4.
Far Eastern University (12-1) and Ateneo (7-6) have locked the Nos. 1 and 4 positions.
