DEFENDING champion La Salle, bracing for a crucial showdown with UAAP holders National University, drubbed reigning NCAA titlist University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 27-25, 25-22, 25-21, in the V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday night at the Paco Arena.

Playmaker Eco Adajar tossed in 17 excellent sets, while Michael Fortuna produced 16 points to power the Green Spikers to their fifth win in six matches.

Far Eastern University maintained its dominant form, sweeping also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 25-19, 25-21, 25-22, concluding its preliminaries with an impressive 6-1 record, securing the top ranking in the Final Four.

Dryx Saavedra led the way with 11 points as the Tamaraws cruised to their fourth straight win after a setback against the Altas.

La Salle, now holding a 5-1 record, has formally entered the semifinals.

The Altas gave the Green Spikers fits in the opening set and gave a valiant effort in the third before falling short.

“We’re fortunate siguro dahil kahit papaano nacontrol namin yung momentum nila from the first set,” said La Salle coach Jose Roque.

“Somehow, I may say, hindi ako ganon kasatisfied sa laro namin pero nevertheless, nagtrabaho naman yung team. Siguro credit to the team and the players na talagang nagstep up din,” he added.

The Green Spikers set the stage for a crucial clash against the Bulldogs, as La Salle aims to tie FEU for the top ranking when it faces NU on Friday at 5 p.m.

The Altas dropped to a 2-4 record, with Kobe Tabuga and Jefferson Marapoc leading the way with 16 and 11 points, respectively.

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Theodore P. Jurado