Holding on to another two-set lead in their second game in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference quarterfinals, the DLSU Green Spikers found themselves in familiar territory, as last week’s game had seen the team squander a two-set advantage against the NCBA Wildcats. Yesterday’s match, however, ended triumphantly for the Green Spikers as they never took their foot off the pedal en route to a straight-set victory over FEU, 25-20, 27-25, 25-11.
Geuel Asia was one of the catalysts in this game, as his 26 excellent sets and one service ace earned him his well-deserved Player of the Game honors. Raymark Woo and Arjay Onia, who were DLSU’s two best players in the past six games, finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Gregorio Dolor, on the other hand, led the charge for the FEU Tamaraws after finishing with 15 points, all on spikes.
With the victory, La Salle moves up to a 1-1 standing after dropping their quarterfinals opener to NCBA last Wednesday. FEU on the other hand, falls to 0-2 after losing their first game to UAAP champion Ateneo.
The first set saw DLSU begin with a 4-1 lead that eventually became an 8-7 heading into the first technical timeout. FEU grabbed the lead in the middle part of the set before the Green Spikers seized a 16-15 lead heading into the second technical timeout. La Salle never gave up the advantage from then on and stretched their lead at the end of the set to five, 25-20.
The momentum remained on DLSU’s side as they scored four straight points to begin the second set. FEU once again caught up and took the lead midway through the set at 18-16, with neither team able to pull away from each other for long. It was a back-and-forth affair that went beyond the usual 25-point set, but the Green Spikers were the more composed team in the end, coming away with the second set, 27-25.
With another two-set lead in their hands, DLSU tried to outhustle the Tamaraws, not giving them a chance to get their rhythm back. Holding a slim 8-7 lead entering the first technical timeout of the third set, La Salle pulled away for good after going on a 17-4 run to end the set and the match.
Both teams played an even game as DLSU had 21 errors to FEU’s 20, while FEU’s Rikko Marmento had 17 receptions to Jopet Movido’s 15. DLSU won the game thanks to their offensive firepower, scoring 40 points as compared to the Tamaraws’ 31 on the offensive end.
NU will be the Green Spikers’ next opponent in the quarterfinal round, with the two set to square off this Wednesday, August 26, at 5pm in the San Juan Arena. This will be DLSU’s penultimate game, with EAC being their final opponent.
