The struggles continue today for the DLSU Green Spikers as they garnered their third straight loss, this time at the hands of the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 25-9, 24-26, 32-30, 27-25. With the loss, the team dropped to sixth place in the season standings with a 1-4 win-loss record.
On the other hand, the Lady Spikers got their fourth win in UAAP Season 78 after defeating the UE Lady Warriors in three straight sets, 25-10, 25-13, 25-21, earlier today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The struggles continue
The Soaring Falcons leaned on a balanced attack throughout the match, with five players scoring at least 12 points. Michael Sudaria scored a team-high 16 points on 13 spikes. Paolo Pablico added 15 points, while Jerome Sarmiento had 14 on 11 spikes. Bryan Saraza and Dave Pletado also finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Arjay Onia top-scored for La Salle with 22 points, while Raymark Woo added 19 in another frustrating result for the Green Spikers.
In the first set, the Falcons put on a defensive clinic as they thwarted several spike attempts from La Salle. They had four consecutive blocks as their lead ballooned to 16, 24-8. The Green-and-White committed an error on the next possession to give Adamson the first set.
Come the second round, the Green Spikers shook off their early jitters as they matched their opponents point-for-point. Cris Dumago and Woo willed their team to set point, while Onia delivered the killing blows to tie the game at one set apiece.
The third set was a contest for the ages as it went all the way to eight set points. Down by four, 24-20, La Salle took advantage of a complacent Adamson side to tie it at 24-all. Woo and Onia would then engage the Falcons in an exchange of spikes. However, a score from Pablico and a block on Woo’s spike attempt sealed the third set for the San Marcelino-based squad.
Refusing to back down, the Green Spikers came out strong in the fourth set as they led Adamson through most of its duration. They couldn’t maintain the lead, however, as the Soaring Falcons capitalized on several La Salle errors. Karlie Ramirez scored on a miscommunication from DLSU, handing the Green Spikers their fourth loss of the year.
![RBF_3213 [] []](http://thelasallian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RBF_3213-.jpg)
Sheer dominance
Similar to their previous game against Adamson, the DLSU Lady Spikers played in a dominating fashion, sweeping UE in three sets, 25-10, 25-13, 25-21. With the win, the Lady Spikers remain in second place with a 4-1 win-loss record behind the Ateneo Lady Eagles.
Veteran Mika Reyes led the Spikers with 10 points on nine spikes and one block. Ara Galang, on the other hand racked up eight points on spikes alone. Meanwhile, La Salle’s opponent, UE, was led by Shaya Adorador, who had 10 points.
The first and second set of the match saw La Salle’s dominance as UE never came close to La Salle, ending the first two sets at 25-10 and 25-13, respectively. Similarly, UE trailed La Salle throughout the third and final set. Late game mishaps haunted the Lady Spikers as UE tried to ignite a late rally in order to force a fourth set. Consecutive errors forced head coach Ramil De Jesus to call a timeout as the Lady Warriors closed in at 22-20, but eventually La Salle prevailed, ending the set and the match at 25-21.
Next Saturday, February 27, the Lady Spikers will face archrival Ateneo at 4 pm in the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Green Spikers will meet the FEU Tamaraws the following day, February 28, at 8 am in the FilOil Arena.
