La La Salle’s Noel Kampton againts NU. Photo from UAAP Media.Salle’s Noel Kampton againts NU. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University recovered from a second-set meltdown to triumph over defending champion National University.

This, after the Green Spikers completed a 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-17 win over the Bulldogs to open their second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.

After committing three consecutive errors to lose the second set, the Green Spikers relied on the tandem of Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao to swiftly take the next two frames en route to forging a tie for third place with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles with identical 5-3 records.

The Green Spikers also successfully exacted revenge over the Bulldogs after dropping their Season 87 opener in a straight-sets defeat last February 16 at the same Pasay venue.

“Mahalaga talaga ito sa amin kasi kung yung goal namin is beyond the top four, kailangan talaga namin ito ipanalo and luckily, ito nabless kami... Kailangan kasi nila, yun yung always na rineremind ko, na kailangan maging consistent kami para mareach namin yung standard namin,” La Salle head coach Jose Roque said.

Racing to an early 13-8 advantage in the fourth set, the Green Spikers widened their advantage to nine points at 17-8 after two straight attack errors from Leo Aringo and Jade Disquitado, an Eco Adajar ace, and a Rui Ventura block.

From that point forward, La Salle seized control as a JJ Rodriguez running attack, a down-the-line hit from Vince Maglinao, and a service error from rookie setter Jeffe Gallego sealed the Green Spikers' fifth win in eight outings.

The Bulldogs rallied from down 18-15 in the third set to narrow the gap to 20-19, but an off-the-block hit from Maglinao, a Kampton attack, two errors from Buds Buddin, and a Ventura block paved the way for the Green Spikers to take a 2-1 sets advantage.

La Salle then crawled its way back from down 22-24 to take a slim 25-24 lead in the extended second set via three attacks from Nat del Pilar and Rodriguez, but Rodriguez suffered three straight errors (double contact, net fault, attack error) to allow NU to level the match.

The Green Spikers were sent down an early 5-11 hole in the opening set, but they displayed remarkable composure, mounting a dominant 14-2 run to build a 19-13 cushion en route to drawing first blood.

“Coming from a loss against FEU, ito talaga yung naging motivation namin na yung FEU game namin sayang ‘eh. Itong NU game naman namin, kung kaya naman pala namin magplay ng ganitong standard sa NU, why not try natin sa lahat para mas manalo kami,” Kampton said.

Kampton fired out 25 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and two aces with 15 excellent receptions and nine excellent receptions, while Maglinao provided 20 points on 17 attacks and three blocks with 17 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

Ventura contributed 14 points on nine attacks, three blocks, and one ace with 10 excellent digs, while Nat del Pilar chipped in seven points on five attacks and two blocks.

Adajar dished out 29 excellent sets with five points on three attacks, one block, and one ace, while team captain and Season 86 Best Libero Menard Guerrero tallied 21 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs.

La Salle aims to notch their second consecutive win when it faces UST on Saturday, March 29, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, the loss put an end to NU’s four-game winning streak, remaining in second place but dropping to a 6-2 slate.

Disquitado paced the Bulldogs in the losing effort with 15 points, 16 excellent receptions, and seven excellent digs, while Buddin was limited to 12 points on 11 attacks and one block with 12 excellent receptions and five excellent digs. Aringo tallied 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.

Gallego tossed 17 excellent sets for NU, while Jimwell Gapultos contributed 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.

The Bulldogs look to bounce back against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 26, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.