De La Salle University showed composure and resilience after a tough opening-set setback, rallying past Ateneo de Manila University in four sets, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16, to secure its third straight trip to the V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals on Saturday, October 4, at the Ynares Center.

The win not only booked the Green Spikers a place in the best-of-three championship series but also guaranteed them a spot in the upcoming Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, where they will face some of the country’s top men’s volleyball teams.

After conceding the opening frame, La Salle regrouped quickly, settling into its system and controlling the rest of the match. With the win, the top-ranked Green Spikers eliminated the fourth-seeded Blue Eagles and clinched their third consecutive Finals appearance in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Gloria leads charge as La Salle regains control

La Salle drew first blood in the semifinals with a 26-24, 22-25, 25-13, 25-18 Game 1 win. Ateneo, however, pushed back in Game 2, taking a thrilling 28-26, 25-16, 23-25, 26-24 victory to force a winner-take-all decider. In Game 3, the Green Spikers asserted their championship form, dominating from start to finish.

“They really wanted to win. Sabi nila after Game 2, nag-usap-usap sila. On their own nagplano sila eh, wala naman akong magawa na, I’m just guiding them and yeah, ‘yan na ‘yung resulta,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.

“Reminder lang talaga, kaming mga coaches, na to focus on what they are doing. Siguro isa ‘yun, naging wake up call sa kanila ‘yun. ‘Yung will nila na ‘hindi na namin ibibigay ‘to,” he added.

Eugene Gloria led the charge with a stellar triple-double of 22 points, 15 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions, providing stability on both ends of the floor. Glen Ventura added 18 points built on 14 attacks, two aces, and two blocks, while Issa Osseini chipped in 15 points, including five of the team’s 10 blocks, as La Salle controlled the net and neutralized Ateneo’s offense.

Setter Ezer Jake Regidor dished out 26 excellent sets and added three points, while libero Sherwin Retiro anchored the floor defense with 11 excellent receptions and six digs.

Ateneo falters as La Salle awaits Finals foe

The Green Spikers now await the winner of the semifinal clash between defending champion Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas on Monday at 5 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

For Ateneo, Amil Pacinio led the way with 19 points and 11 excellent digs, while Matthew Salarzon and Julio Yu chipped in 11 and nine points, respectively. Reigning UAAP MVP Kennedy Batas saw limited action, entering in the fourth set and finishing with just one point.