It was not sweeter the second time around as the Taft-based Spikers yielded against league leader FEU Tamarraws in the 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 19-20, 11-15 thriller last February 1 for the UAAP Season 74 Men’s Volleyball competition.
Five Green Spikers’ double-digits performance, led by former Rookie of the Year Myco Antonio with 19 points 12 attacks, six blocks and an ace, were enough to upset the Green-and-Gold.
Green Spikers Philip Cerveza and Red Christensen contributed 13 apiece with teammates Kevin De La Vega and Carlo Rivera pitching in 11 each, while FEU’s leading Best Scorer Rodolfo Labrador Jr. erupted 26 markers.
This time, however, was a more gallant stand for the Green Spikers extending the 24-time UAAP Men’s Volleyball Champions to fifth set.
“We’ve put a good fight although we have loss. Hindi katulad dati talagang medyo may bumibigay pero ngayon may puso na talaga [Unlike our previous meeting with FEU where some players gave up, now the Green Spikers have the heart],” Green Spikers Head Coach Sammy Acaylar shared.
All swords, not enough shield
An Arvin Avila down the line kill broke the knot, 9-8, in favor of the Morayta-based Spikers in the deciding set.
Consecutive attacking errors then plagued the Green Spikers with sophomore Christensen salvaging two points, 11-14, before FEU’s Kirk Beliran scored his 19th point of the game to end the 121-minute encounter.
The Green Spikers, who snatched the first and third frame, broke out from a 5-all game in the fourth by raking up points from offensive blocks, but were frustrated with the Labrador and Alexis Fartayen’s initiated 9-3 run.
In the third set, the Green Spikers’ combination plays from Antonio, Christensen, and Dela Vega clicked racing to a 2-1 set lead.
The Tamarraws charged back in the second half with consistent attempts that penetrated the DLSU wall defense; they also picked up charity points from the Green-and-White’s errors.
“There are some lapses in terms of receive and defense but in general we played well,” Coach Acaylar shared.
Green Spikers opened the match with a 7-0 run powered by their tough net defense, as they dominated FEU in the blocking department, 20-11 over-all.
With the loss, the wards of Coach Sammy Acaylar closed with a 7-5 record good enough to force a tie with National University (NU) Bulldogs at the third spot.
Earlier in the week, the Green Spikers notched their seventh win against Adamson University 3-1 after dropping another lost against five-peat seeking UST Tigers 1-3 last January 29 and 25 accordingly.
