The De La Salle University (DLSU) strengthened their chances to enter the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball Final Four after defeating University of the East (UE).

This, after the Green Spikers swept the Red Warriors, 25-17, 25-11, 25-21, during their morning clash at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Tuesday, April 9.

They improved to 7-3 and remained at no. 3 in the league standings.

Leading La Salle was Noel Kampton who had 17 points, nine receptions and two digs, while Nath del Pilar and Vince Maglinao followed with eight points each.

Gene Poquita also displayed his playmaking skills and delivered 13 excellent sets.

“Sabi ko nga sa team after [Far Eastern University], talagang kailangan focus kami sa succeeding games namin whoever magiging opponent namin. Handa talaga kami. ‘Yun ‘yung binigay ko na mindset for us na makapasok lang sa Final Four,” La Salle head coach Jose Roque said after the game.

Kampton stepped up in the third set for the Green Spikers and starred in their 4-1 run, putting up two crucial points to turn a 19-all deadlock into a 23-20 advantage for DLSU.

Joshua Pozas’ attack cut the Green Spikers’ lead to two, but Eugene Gloria answered with an attack via a combination play to get to match point.

Unfortunately for UE, Isaiah Roca’s attack went outside, and this resulted in La Salle finally ending the game, which only lasted for an hour and 12 minutes.

Leading the Red Warriors, who fell to 1-9 in the standings, were Angelo Reyes’ 11 points, Pozas’ 10 markers, four receptions and one dig, and Tebs Aligayon, who fired seven points as well as 15 receptions.

DLSU will be looking to solidify its Final Four bid further when they take on defending champion National University on Sunday, April 14 at 12:00 noon at the Mall of Asia Arena, while the now-eliminated UE is looking to snap their skid against Ateneo de Manila University on the same day at 10:00 a.m. (ABS-CBN News)