DLSU-NU playoff set in men’s volley

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle reasserted its mastery of reigning MVP Josh Ybañez and Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18, and arranged a duel with three-time champion National U for the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Spikers, who also drubbed the Golden Spikers with a similar four-set win in the first round, finished their campaign at 11-3 in a tie with the Bulldogs. The Far Eastern U Tamaraws (12-2) earlier clinched the No. 1 seed and the first win-once bonus.

It will be a virtual best-of-three duel as La Salle and NU are set to fill the second and third spots in the Final Four with FEU taking on the fourth-seeded Santo Tomas (8-6).

“Mahirap ‘yung pinagdaanan ng team. ‘Yung thoughts of twice-to-beat, sa game na lang siguro namin lahat malalaman ‘yun. Basta gagawin namin lahat para makuha ‘yung twice-to-beat advantage,” said La Salle coach Jose Roque.

JM Ronquillo was all business in the all-important match by sizzling for 21 points, all on attacks, to show the way as La Salle notched its sixth straight win to catch up with NU.

He drew ample support from Vince Maglinao and Noel Kampton with 19 and 18 points, respectively, to form a lethal troika for the Green Spikers, who pretty much dominated the Golden Spikers.

In women’s play, Casiey Monique Dongallo fired 28 points as UE (2-12) exited gracefully at sixth place with a 23-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-22 win over UP (1-13) while the Fighting Maroons (2-12) bested the Warriors (1-13) in men’s play, 25-19, 18-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-9.

Dongallo’s eruption hiked her totals to 291 points to surpass Angeline Poyos of UST (268) at the moment, pending the La Salle-Santo Tomas duel, for the most points for a rookie ever and among all scorers this season.