The DLSU Green Spikers will have their hands full in their next game in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference quarterfinals as they face the NCAA Champions EAC Generals this Wednesday, September 2, at 1 pm in the San Juan Arena.
In their last game, La Salle fell to UAAP runner-up NU Bulldogs in four sets, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18. Fauzi Ismael led the the Sampaloc-based squad with 19 points, while Bryan Bagunas and Madzlan Gampong added 16 and 15 markers, respectively.
The Green and White were spearheaded by Arjay Onia’s game-high 22 points. Despite his consistent production, he got little support as team captain Raymark Woo was the only other player for DLSU who broke into double-digit scoring with 12 points.
EAC, on the other hand, broke a three-game slump at the expense of the UP Fighting Maroons, whom they swept, 25-17, 25-23, 25-16. NCAA MVP Howard Mojica top-scored for the Generals with 18 points, his lowest in the tournament. The Maroons’ Alfred Valbuena also had 18 in yet another loss for UP.
Both DLSU and EAC are currently sporting 3-3 win-loss records in the quarterfinals, so tomorrow’s match will be a crucial game for both teams in their quest to make the semifinal round of the inaugural edition of the Spikers’ Turf tournament. NU had already secured its place in the semis with a 6-1 record, along with the undefeated Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Howard Mojica remains EAC’s most potent player, as he currently averages 31.3 points per contest in his last three outings. He will match up with Spikers Onia and Woo, La Salle’s leading scorers.
With their backs against the wall, both teams will fight for every single point they could get in this match. Even with no assurance of making it to the next round, the need for both teams to prove themselves will make this an exciting contest.
