UAAP: Green Spikers succumb to NU in straight sets

The DLSU Green Spikers were overpowered by the NU Bulldogs in three sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-20, earlier today at the San Juan Arena.

Ralph Calasin and Arjay Onia, who finished the game with six points each, led all La Salle scorers. Team captain Raymark Woo and Cris Dumago closely followed with four points apiece.

The Green Spikers immediately got the lead at the beginning of the first set. However, a strong attack from NU’s Bryan Bagunas sparked a 5-1 run for the Bulldogs to put them ahead by three, 11-8. DLSU tried to catch up but NU kept them from taking their lead. Near the end of the set, a mixture of errors from NU and blocks from La Salle’s Dumago, Onia, and Geriant Bacon tied the scores at 23-all. However, consecutive spikes from Bagunas and James Natividad ended the set in favor of NU, 25-23.

In the second set, the Bulldogs immediately bombarded the Green Spikers with a series of strong attacks, giving themselves a seven-point lead. La Salle slowly chipped at the lead and, soon enough, they were tied at 18-all. Both teams went head-to-head with each other, trading attacks as they tried to take control of the set. Eventually, it was NU who took the set at 25-23.

In the third set, NU got an early advantage but La Salle was able to tie the game at four with the help of Mike Frey and Onia. The Bulldogs went on a 4-1 run with their solid blocks and a service ace from Natividad, building a lead they would never relinquish. The Green Spikers, unable to close the gap, gave the third and final set to the Bulldogs at 25-20.

Three NU players scored in double digits, with Natividad leading the charge after scoring 14 points. Kim Malabunga and Bagunas added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The Bulldogs overpowered La Salle with 37 spikes, 16 blocks, and seven service aces to DLSU’s 20 spikes, five blocks, and three aces. DLSU minimized their unforced errors to 15, in contrast to NU’s 38 errors.

The Green Spikers’ next opponent will be the reigning champion Ateneo, whom they will face next Sunday, February 14, at 10 am in the FilOil Arena.