As the playoffs draw closer, the Green and Lady Spikers have started to earn their playoff berths. The Green Spikers currently holds a 7-5 record, good for fourth place in the standings while the Lady Spikers, the defending back-to-back champion, showcased an almost perfect 12-1 record to lead the women’s division.
Green Spikers keeping up the pace
The Green Spikers currently has three wins and two losses in the ensuing second round of volleyball action.
The team suffered two tough five-set setbacks against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the National University Bulldogs. On the other hand, La Salle managed to make a comeback via four-set wins against the University of the East Red Warriors and the Adamson Soaring Falcons. The team then swept the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
With one win behind the Adamson Falcons and the UST Tigers, the Acaylar-mentored squad is looking to cap Season 75 with a strong push to hold on to a third or fourth place finish; the semis is just a week away. The Bulldogs and Tamaraws currently hold first and second place in the men’s division, respectively.
Christensen, Cerveza and Antonio are the teams best spiker, blocker, and scorer respectively. Led the trio, La Salle is looking to end the eliminations on a strong note to as the team enters the Final Four.
DLSU Head Coach Sam Acaylar assures, “They [Green Spikers] have the heart [in playing the games]. During the start of the first round, and now in the second round, they have the heart. They also have the fighting spirit.”
Vying for three-peat glory
Looking to end the elimination phase with an almost perfect record, the Lady Spikers continued to showcase an impeccable performance as the team dominates the court. The lone loss to UST in the team’s first game of the season has proved to be a wake-up call to start a winning streak and to establish dominance in the women’s division.
The team continues to show mastery of the sport as the team beat arch-rival, the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Aside from impressive five-set wins against National University and Ateneo, the defending champion has also swept the likes of UP, AdU, UST, and FEU.
Known as an impenetrable wall, the ladies from Taft have continued to focus on defense. In the team’s last game against Ateneo, the ladies converted 18 successful blocks in a single game.
Led by sophomore and scorer Ara Galang, the Lady Spikers proved to be the best in blocking, sets, digs, and serves this season. The Green-and-White squad placed second in spiking and receiving which will be important in the team’s quest for the elusive championship crown.
With a perfect mix of veterans, rookies and top-class mentor in Coach Ramil de Jesus, La Salle is looking for a grand slam this season.
As the semifinal round of the volleyball tournament approaches, the Green and Lady Spikers are looking to book a Final Four berth.
Coach De Jesus concluded,“Kailangan naming kumuha ng confidence sa mga games namin at kailangan mas mataas ang laro naming lalo. (We need to get confidence from our games and we need to play at a higher level.)”
