Kampton powers La Salle past Ateneo

(UPDATE) NOEL Kampton fired out 27 points to propel De La Salle University to a 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 victory over rival Ateneo de Manila University, notching its third consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Aside from racking up their third straight victory, more importantly, the Green Spikers broke free from a tie at fourth place with the Blue Eagles, now sharing the third place with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers with identical 4-2 records.

The victory also allowed La Salle to achieve their third straight head-to-head win over Ateneo after sweeping their elimination round matchups in Season 86.

Kampton delivered 27 points on 23 attacks, three blocks and one ace with six excellent receptions and five excellent digs.

The Blue Eagles turned an early 11-14 deficit to a slim 18-17 lead, but Kampton stood his ground, scoring three consecutive attacks to regain a critical 21-20 cushion.

Jian Salarzon quickly responded with a crosscourt hit to knot the match at 21-all, but Rui Ventura rose to the occasion with three consecutive points, while Vince Maglinao scored the game-sealing attack to complete the four-set triumph in one hour and 55 minutes.

Holding a slim 21-19 third set cushion, the Green Spikers banked on three crucial Blue Eagles errors — a service error from Jetlee Gopio and two double contact violations on Lorenzo Gutierrez — and an offspeed hit from graduating spiker Noel Kampton to build a 2-1 set advantage.

Tied at 20-all in the second set, La Salle leaned on the offensive firepower of Ventura and Kampton down the line to level the match at one-set a piece.

The Green Spikers inched within 21-19 in the opening set, but the Blue Eagles uncorked a pivotal 4-1 run, capped with a through the block hit from Kennedy Batas, an ace from Amil Pacinio and a service error from Maglinao, to run away with the first set.

Ventura provided ample support with 13 points while Maglinao chipped in seven points in the win.