Manila: De La Salle University pulled off a 29-27, 25-14, 12-25, 21-25, 15-13 victory over defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) Saturday night to secure the first semifinal berth in the V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center. Middle blocker Issa Ousseini from Cameroon scored 23 points off 19 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace as the Green Spikers rolled to their fifth straight win.
According to Philippines News Agency, Chris Hernandez delivered 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace and made 21 excellent receptions for La Salle, which will meet rival Ateneo de Manila University (3-2) on Sept. 6 at 12 p.m. With the score tied at 13-all in the fifth, skipper JJ Rodriguez blocked Mikko Espartero’s attack while Eugene Gloria scored on a spike as the Green Spikers wrapped up the match in two hours and 29 minutes.
“Maybe one thing (that works) now is the mere fact that we’re young, so they seem united. There’s no seniority, it’s like they see it as on
e team and understand each other,” La Salle coach Jose Roque said. “Maybe that’s what gave us the edge in these games; that we were able to do our job in a way that was easier for them to understand. Rather than seniors, there are very young people.”
The Tamaraws rallied behind Dryx Saavedra and Espartero in the third and fourth sets. Saavedra finished with 21 points on 19 attacks and two blocks, while Lirick Mendoza chipped in 17 points, including seven blocks. Amet Bituin added 12 points, 11 points on attacks, while Espartero had nine points to go with 15 excellent receptions and seven digs for FEU, which took its first loss in four outings.
