The DLSU Green Spikers lost to the NU Bulldogs in a four-set match, 27-29, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19, earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Centre. As a result, they now have a 1-3 win-loss standing. NU’s Fauzi Ismail led all scorers as he brought in 17 points on 13 attacks and two service aces for the Bulldogs, while, Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively. The Green Spikers, on the other hand, were led by Arjay Onia with 12 points on 11 attacks and an ace, followed by Cris Dumago with nine points and Raffy Del Pilar and Raymark Woo eight points each.
In the first set, NU immediately took an early lead. DLSU aimed to close the gap, but the Bulldogs prevented the Lasallians from going on a scoring run. Near the end of the set, however, errors haunted the Bulldogs, giving DLSU multiple breakpoints. An NU error eventually gave the set to La Salle with a score of 29-27.
The second set started with a crosscourt spike from Bagunas, which NU built on to get an advantage, 7-2. With a 10-8 score, NU scored another five-point run to put the scores at 15-8. Kim Malabunga ended the set quickly at 25-17, in favor of NU.
A close match ensued at the start of the third set. At 6-all, a 6-1 run was made by the Bulldogs to put the score to 12-7, in favor of NU. After that, however, La Salle slowly trimmed the lead, taking advantage of the errors made by the opposing team to tie the score at 16-all. Not willing to give in, the Bulldogs gradually built a four-point lead, 21-17, which they kept to the end of the set. An attack from Bagunas gave the set to NU at 25-21.
The fourth set saw NU score five consecutive points right off the bat to take the lead, 5-0. The Green Spikers sought to make a comeback. However, their attempts were continuously shut down by the opposing team. Midway through the set, runs were made by the Bulldogs to draw their score further away from the Green-and-White to secure a 10-point lead. Bagunas eventually sealed the set, 25-21, with an uncontested spike that also gave NU victory.
In terms of team stats, NU led with 52 attacks, 11 blocks, and seven aces over La Salle’s 38 attacks, two blocks, and four aces. On the other hand, DLSU had less unforced errors as it incurred 32 as compared to the Bulldogs’ 42. “They still haven’t properly learned our system,” Green Spikers head coach Nes Pamilar shared on the performance of his team in Filipino. “A large adjustment is still necessary.”
Onia shared that the team has to improve its patience. “When we get nervous, we rush things. We lose focus,” he explained in Filipino. “Sa volleyball, dapat tiyaga-tiyaga lang,” he quoted their coach.
The Green Spikers will aim to bounce back in their next match against AdU Soaring Falcons. It will be held on Wednesday, February 22, at 10 am in the same venue.
The Scores
DLSU 86 – Onia 12, Dumago 9, Del Pilar 8, Woo 8, Jose 4, Bacon 2, Marco 1
NU 102 – Ismail 17, Bagunas 16, Natividad 14, Saura 9, Malabunga 8, Dayandante 4, Mondero 1, Gampong 1
