UE Shuts Down La Salle's Playoff Hopes, Helps Ateneo Secure Final Four Spot

The University of the East Red Warriors stunned De La Salle University, handing them a crushing 25-21, 28-26, 26-24 defeat in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila, effectively ending La Salle’s postseason dreams.

With the Green Spikers fighting to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, UE's Raquim Aceron, Roy Piojo, and Xjhann Camaymayan came through in the clutch, playing the role of spoilers and knocking La Salle out of the Final Four for the first time since Season 81 (2019).

The win also broke La Salle’s 17-match streak against UE, which dated back to Season 77.

For UE, the victory halted a two-game losing streak and lifted their record to 3-10, officially sealing the Final Four lineup in the men’s division. Joining Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, Far Eastern University Tamaraws, defending champion National University Bulldogs, and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, the Red Warriors ensured that the postseason teams were set.

This result marked a return to the Final Four for the Blue Eagles after three consecutive fifth-place finishes (Seasons 85-87), their first appearance since clinching bronze in Season 81.

“We fell short of our main goal, which was to make the Final Four, but we didn’t stop working hard in practice to win games because it's character-building for the team. As I always say, we’re still a young team,” UE assistant coach Jumbo Dimaculangan shared, reflecting on the Red Warriors’ historic win over La Salle—their first since February 16, 2014 (Season 76).

"We needed this win to build confidence, which will help us in our final game and in the coming years,” he added.

UE almost wrapped up the match in straight sets, taking a commanding 13-5 lead in the third set and holding a 24-20 advantage after back-to-back Aceron spikes and a Camaymayan block on La Salle’s Eugene Gloria.

However, the Green Spikers rallied with a fierce four-point run, including three blocks from Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ouisseini and a Camaymayan attack error, forcing a 24-all tie.

In the end, the Red Warriors held their ground. Aceron delivered a decisive crosscourt hit, and a final attack from Gloria clipped the antenna, handing UE the straight-set victory after one hour and 25 minutes, while avenging their first-round loss in March.

In the extended second set, UE displayed poise under pressure, surviving two set points with a Yoyong Mendoza error and an Aceron block on Ouisseini to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

"We’re really happy with the result because this is what we’ve been working for every day. Last season, this became my motivation to change how people see us,” said Aceron, who finished with 19 points, including 17 attacks and two blocks, alongside 22 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.

Piojo contributed 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks, along with six excellent receptions and four digs, while Camaymayan added nine points, including five attacks and four blocks.

Lance Perit chipped in eight points, and rookie libero Cjay Nabora tallied 13 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.

UE, which posted its highest win total in a season since finishing 5-9 in 2023 (Season 85), will wrap up its campaign against Ateneo on Saturday, April 15, at the same venue.

Meanwhile, La Salle suffered its third straight loss, dropping to 5-8 ahead of their final Season 88 match against NU on Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Ouisseini led the Green Spikers with 16 points, while Mendoza added 11. Gloria contributed 10 points, along with 21 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs, while Chris Hernandez finished with seven points, seven excellent receptions, and six excellent digs.

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