De La Salle University kept its unbeaten streak alive, fending off Ateneo de Manila University and the returning Ken Batas in four sets, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, on Saturday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Green Spikers, now at 6-0, will face the current No. 2 team, the University of Santo Tomas, on October 1 for a possible top seed in the semifinals. It took one hour and 45 minutes for the Taft-based squad to subdue the Blue Eagles, relying on both its offense and defense.
Eugene Gloria delivered another solid performance with 21 points built on 19 attacks, while Chris Hernandez added 14 markers and 13 excellent receptions.
Still, it was the defensive brilliance of second-year libero Sherwin Retiro that proved pivotal, tallying 12 digs and 13 excellent receptions to keep the Green Spikers in control.
"Sabi ko nga, hindi dapat natin minamaliit 'yung mga nakakaharap natin. I know that Ateneo will be eager to beat us, and, although nagkaroon ng lapses, sinabi ko lang na back to the system, pace lang tayo. Hindi naman natin kailangang magmadali; whatever happens is it's because 'yun 'yung ginawa natin," said head coach Jose Roque.
Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini was held to nine points, but the balanced attack orchestrated by NJ Bangit, who dished out 16 excellent sets, was enough to keep La Salle unscathed after six matches.
The showdown between De La Salle and UST is set for October 1 at 5 p.m. at the same Paco venue, following the league’s break to give way to the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship starting September 12.
"Whether naman kahit sino kalaban, halos pare-parehas. Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax at maging confident masyado; so, kung UST man 'yan, we will try hard to prepare our game against them. Pero magfo-focus lang kami on how we'll work as a team, kasi kahit anong plano 'yan, kung hindi naming magawa 'yung sa 'min as a team, mahihirapan kami," Roque said of their looming clash with the Golden Spikers.
For Ateneo, Amil Pacinio spearheaded the charge with 21 points on 20 attacks and one service ace, while captain Jian Salarzon chipped in 13 markers, four digs, and 13 excellent receptions. Batas, fresh from national team duty, provided four points off the bench.
Ateneo (3-3) will try to keep its semifinal hopes alive when it meets winless Arellano University (0-6) on Sunday at 3 p.m.
