Spikers’ Turf: Green Spikers seek first win against Arellano

The DLSU Green Spikers are looking to bounce back from last week’s four-set loss to Ateneo in their upcoming match against the NCAA’s Arellano University Chiefs in the Spikers’ Turf this Wednesday, July 22.

The Arellano University Chiefs, who are coming off their own four-set loss against UP, will look to keep the Green Spikers winless in what will be a crucial match for both teams, despite the tournament still being in its early stages, as only the top four teams of each bracket will advance in the tournament.

Playing against Ateneo last week, the Green Spikers initially had a hard time finding their rhythm in the first set, and although they were able to snatch the second, they eventually fell to the UAAP champions in four sets, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23. Arjay Onia led DLSU with 19 points, while team captain Raymark Woo added 15.

Christian Delapaz, Christian Segovia, and Christopher Soriano combined for 41 points in the Chiefs’ first Spikers’ Turf match up last week, but it wasn’t enough to give Arellano the victory as UP’s Wendel Miguel, Alfred Valbuena, and Julius Raymundo scored 47 points in four sets, 21-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-13.

Expect DLSU to force more errors, since they were able get more points through those (30) compared to Ateneo in last week’s game (22). Doing so against Arellano would probably be effective, since the Chiefs coughed up more points off errors (35) compared to UP (18) last week.

With only the top four from each bracket set to advance, expect a close game tomorrow, as both the Archers and the Chiefs have yet to barge into the win column. For the Green Spikers, a victory will be crucial to their buildup heading into Season 78, and the same can be said for Arellano, who are set to compete in the NCAA’s volleyball tournament later this year.

La Salle’s match against Arellano will be the second of the day, after FEU’s game against EAC. The Green Spikers and the Chiefs will square off at 3pm at the San Juan Arena.