Issa Ousseini turned in a dominant two-way performance to power De La Salle University past Mapua University, 21–25, 25–23, 25–18, 25–20. The win gave the Green Spikers’ new coaching staff its first victory of the season.

The skipper finished with 23 points on 17 attacks, five blocks, and one service ace. He also chipped in 14 excellent receptions, anchoring both La Salle’s offense and defense.

Ousseini Leads La Salle’s Bounce-Back Effort

La Salle dropped the first set before finding its footing in the second. From there, the Green Spikers never let up, riding the momentum to close out the match in four sets.

Rui Ventura backed up Ousseini with 16 points, many of them arriving at critical moments. His timely hitting shut down Mapua’s rallies whenever the Cardinals threatened to close the gap.

Eugene Gloria rounded out La Salle’s balanced attack with a steady all-around game. He finished with seven points, four digs, and 12 excellent receptions to keep the Green Spikers’ passing game stable.

New Coaching Staff Gets First Taste of Success

The win came after La Salle dropped a straight-sets loss to the National University Bulldogs last week. First assistant coach Godfrey Okumu said the team has spent nearly a month adjusting to a new system.

“We have been with the team for almost a month, and we have been making adjustments with the system of play,” Okumu said. He added that the staff has been introducing new combinations while phasing others out.

Okumu, a 2018 PVL Collegiate Challenge champion coach with the University of the Philippines, said limited practice time made match play essential. “We didn’t have much time playing together as a team, just scrimmages. So, these games gave us a training ground,” he said.

Mapua’s Patrick Reyes kept the Cardinals competitive with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks. Captain Ar-Jay Ramos shook off a second-set injury scare to finish with 12 markers of his own.

La Salle improved to 1–1 and will renew its rivalry with the University of Santo Tomas on August 30 at 5 p.m. Mapua, now 0–2, faces the Bulldogs earlier that day at 3 p.m., still at Gameville Central Park.