In their fourth game of the first round, the DLSU Green Spikers dropped their second straight game as they lost to the NU Bulldogs in three sets, 25-27,16-25, 20-25, earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Center.
In the losing effort against last season’s first runner-ups, John Onia and Raymark Woo scored 13 and 12 points, respectively. For the Bulldogs, Bryan Bagunas led his team to victory after tallying 14 points while Kim Dayandante made 29 excellent sets.
Intense first set
La Salle had an early lead to begin the game
after scoring from a spike and an error made by NU. The Bulldogs, however, would answer back as they continued to break through the Green Spikers‘ defense and converted multiple points of off made attacks, all the while blocking some of DLSU’s spike attempts. The Sampaloc-based squad would have a two point advantage over the Green-and-White after the first technical timeout, but would take the lead by the end of the second technical timeout.
Collective efforts from Woo, and Onia kept NU from extending its lead, while multiple service errors and an outside hit gave the Lasallians an opportunity to convert points and lead by one. It continued to be a back-and-forth affair from there on until the game was tied at 25 points each. NU would take the first set after blocking two consecutive spike attempts of the team from Taft.
Lackluster performance
The Bulldogs had momentum on their side as they continued to bombard the Green Spikers with their offense. However, multiple service errors kept NU from taking control of the set and provided La Salle with points. NU would lead by six points at the end of second technical timeout.
The Green-and-White had no answer for the sharp spikes of the Bulldogs courtesy of Bagunas and the solid blocking of James Natividad. The team from Sampaloc would claim the second set after converting seven of their last eight points due to attacks, as this gave NU a two set advantage entering the third set.
Fighting back
The Green Spikers would not back down, however, as they continued to pressure NU with their tenacious defense forcing the Bulldogs to hit the outside the line keeping them within striking distance. La Salle would commit four errors which gave NU the chance to go on a 5-0 run wherein the latter led by two.
La Salle would tie the game at 13 points after converted attacks by Onia and Woo, who made a service ace. DLSU could not capitalize on the opportunity to take the lead as the Sampaloc-based squad went on to win the third set and the game after continuous quick and powerful spikes broke through La Salle’s defense coupled with unforced errors made.
The Green Spikers will look to return to the winning column as they face the UE Red Warriors on Wednesday, February 21, 10 am, same venue.
The scores:
DLSU (61) – Onia 14, Woo 13, Dumago 5, Reyes 3, Delos Reyes 2, Maravilla 1, Macaspac 0, Hendriyanto 0, Marco 0, Jose 0, Asia 0, Movido 0, Dimayuga 0, Frey 0
NU (77) – Bagunas 16, Natividad 12, Isamail 12, Malabunga 8, Gampong 3, Saura 3, Dayandante 2, Mondero 1, Ancheta 0, Ponti 0, Sumagui 0, Daymil 0, Marcos 0,
