UAAP: Green, Lady Spikers take on Adamson, UE in weekend matches

DLSU’s volleyball teams will return to action tomorrow, February 21, with both squads figuring in important matches that will further impact their positions in their respective tournaments.

The Green Spikers will be facing the Adamson Soaring Falcons at 10 am, while the Lady Spikers will have their hands full against the UE Lady Warriors at 2 pm. Both games will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The bleeding continues

The Green Spikers have not been able to get over the hump in their past few games this week. After losing to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in five sets last Sunday, they were unable to redeem themselves in their midweek match against the UP Fighting Maroons, losing in four sets, 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 27-25.

Despite strong performances from Raymark Woo and Arjay Onia, who scored 26 and 15 points, respectively, La Salle fell behind early in the game versus a streaking UP squad. Down by two sets, the Taft-based squad clinched the third set behind the efforts of Ralph Calasin, but were unable to prolong the game further, dropping the fourth set and the match.

The Fighting Maroons were getting contributions from more than a handful of their squad members, with five UP players hitting double digits in the scoring charts.

Meanwhile, the Soaring Falcons will enter the game on momentum built on a three-game winning streak. Among those in their victim list are defending champions Ateneo, whom they beat in five sets. Currently seeded fourth, Adamson looks to further solidify their place as Final Four contenders this season by adding La Salle to their list of conquests.

In their head-to-head match-ups in Season 77, the Soaring Falcons won both games against  the Green Spikers. The San Marcelino-based squad won in five sets during their first round encounter before dominating their opponents in three sets in the second round.

Building a head of steam 

After defeating Adamson in straight sets, 25-13, 25-13, 25-16, the Lady Spikers look to get their fourth win in UAAP Season 78 when they face the UE Lady Warriors, who have yet to clinch a win this season.

The last match-up between the Lady Spikers and UE in Season 77 saw the former dominating the latter in straight sets, 25-6, 25-17, 25-17. Kim Fajardo was named the Player of the Game with five points on two attacks, two blocks, and an ace.

La Salle started strong on both ends of the floor while also preventing the Lady Warriors from scoring no more than six points in the first set. Carrying over the momentum they gained from the previous set, DLSU took the second set from UE with little difficulty.

In the third set, however, the two teams stayed close to one another until the halfway point of the set. After consecutive successful plays from Desiree Cheng and Ara Galang, the Lady Spikers managed to pull away and eventually, end the set and the match in their favor.

Though the Green Spikers and Lady Spikers had contrasting starts to their seasons, both teams have found their rhythm with the crucial stages of the tournament right around the corner. Sunday will prove to be pivotal for both teams, as the Lady Spikers will look to carry momentum heading into their match against archrival Ateneo, while the Green Spikers will aim to clinch their second win this season.