Spikers’ Turf: Green Spikers clash with CSB for quarterfinals slot

The Lasallian community is in for a treat as the DLSU Green Spikers and the DLS-CSB Blazers will face off in the ongoing Spikers’ Turf this Monday, August 3, at the San Juan Arena.

The Green Spikers are coming off a victory in their last outing, sweeping another sister school, the DLSU- Dasmariñas Patriots, 25-17, 25-18, 25-22, just last week. Cris Dumago and Arjay Onia led the offense for the Taft-based squad, finishing with 12 points each in the straight-set victory. Onia was also named player of the game for his all-around efforts throughout the match.

The Blazers, on their part, have been on a roll themselves, winning their last game against the Arellano University Chiefs in four sets, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 25-18. Team captain John Vic De Guzman spearheaded his team to victory, scoring 20 points on 15 strikes, three blocks, and two service aces.

Both teams are carrying similar 2-1 win-loss slates, putting them in a deadlock for the second to fourth seeds along with the UP Fighting Maroons. Since only the top four teams in the bracket will be advancing to the quarterfinals, these three teams will have to play their hearts out in every match from now on in order to remain in contention for a podium finish in the inaugural inter-collegiate tourney. UAAP champion Ateneo is currently atop the bracket with a 3-0 record while DLSU-D and Arellano sport identical 0-3 records.

With only a couple of games left before the playoffs, this upcoming game is a key match, as the victor can move up to a sole second place standing and not only boost their bids for the crown, but also give themselves a better advantage heading into the knockout rounds. The loser, meanwhile, could drop to a more dangerous predicament or worse, see their pre-season journey end at the preliminaries.

As two sides clad in green uniforms take the court at 1pm on Monday, every single possession, service, and spike will matter. With so much at stake, “One La Salle” won’t be something anyone would be cheering from the stands during the game.