FEU rookie Bakanke and La Salle star Kampton bring the teams into UAAP Final Four form

FEU's Faida Bakanke and La Salle's Noel Kampton advance to UAAP women's and men's volleyball players of the week for leading their teams to top form during the '86 season

MANILA, Philippines – In the home stretch of the UAAP Season 86 Volleyball Tournaments, every win counts, especially in an unpredictable tournament where top teams could still see their rankings shaken up.

The die is cast in the women's tournament after Congolese Faida Bakanke helped propel the FEU Lady Tamaraws to a fourth and final Final Four spot, while Noel Kampton helped the La Salle Green Spikers retain third place.

For their valiant efforts, the two were named the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Players of the Week for April 9-14.

Bakanke scored 13 points in the Lady Tams' 25-19, 25-23, 25-23 win over Adamson on April 9.

The first-year player then turned in arguably her best performance of the tournament, scoring 21 points, including a career-high four rejections against league leader UST in a game that went the distance 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10, last Saturday, April 13th.

“I am proud of Faida. Their story is interesting because they had to adapt to many factors, including culture and the language barrier,” said head coach Manolo Refugia, as FEU holds a 7-4 record with three games left.

Bakanke bested teammate Jean Asis, NU's Vange Alinsug, DLSU's Shevana Laput, Ateneo's Roma Doromal, UST's Regina Jurado and Adamson's Barbie Jamili for the weekly award.

“I am very happy that we got this game. We also respect the trainers' system. I'm so proud of my team. I am very happy and proud of my team because we did well, that is the most important thing,” said Bakanke.

Meanwhile, La Salle's Kampton delivered timely goals en route to a 17-point victory in the undermanned La Salle team's 25-17, 25-11, 25-21 win over UE, giving the latter a win on April 9 eliminated from playoff competition.

The premier winger also scored 18 points, 22 outstanding balls and 7 outstanding shots in La Salle's impressive 25-19, 25-17, 31-33, 27-25 win over three-time defending champion NU on Sunday, April 14. even without JM Ronquillo.

The decisive win helped the Green Spikers go 8-3 and maintain their third place spot in the tight playoff race.

“We will try to win our remaining games. It's not bad to dream… I’m not saying we’re going to win, but we’re going to do our best,” Kampton said.

Kampton edged out teammates Vince Maglinao, FEU's Ariel Cacao, NU's Nico Almendras, Ateneo's Ken Batas, UST's Josh Ybañez and UP's Jaivee Malabanan for the weekly honor, across the print and online media that regularly covers the college Beat report, advise. – Rappler.com