The DLSU Green Spikers beat the FEU Tamaraws in five sets, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 17-15, earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. As a result, they now have a 3-6 win-loss record. Cris Dumago led the offense of La Salle as he scored 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks. Arjay Onia and Geraint Bacon closely followed with 14 points each, while Joshua Jose chipped in 10 points of his own.
On the other hand, it was Gregorio Dolor who spearheaded FEU with 22 points on 19 attacks and an ace. Redijohn Paler, Richard Solis, and Peter Quiel scored 14, 13, and 10 points, respectively.
The first set saw the Tamaraws gain a sizable lead as the set progressed. At 19-13, La Salle scored three consecutive points to trim the lead heading to the second technical timeout, 19-16. Another DLSU point was scored before FEU took the reigns and scored three of its own, 21-17. The Tamaraws kept their distance for the rest of the way and sealed the first set, 25-21, as Camcam scored off the block.
The two teams started slow in the second set as they incurred several errors. The match proceeded with the opposing sides trading points while keeping the scores close. Midway through the set, however, the Green Spikers went on a 4-1 scoring run. Behind the efforts of Dumago, team captain Geuel Asia, and Jose, La Salle led FEU, 21-17. DLSU kept its lead and took the set, 25-21, with an attack from Bacon.
In the third set, a tight match ensued as FEU and DLSU rallied to get the better of each other. At 10-all, two service aces from G. Asia and a La Salle block put the Green-and-White in the front seat, 13-10. At 21-18, FEU scored three consecutive points from Camcam and Silang’s attacks and a DLSU error to level the score. However, La Salle made another 4-1 run to seal the set, 25-22.
“Nasunod lahat ng instruction na binigay,” coach Nes Pamilar said on the sets won. (They followed all the instructions given.)
The fourth set opened with a 4-1 run made by the Green Spikers to take an early lead. However, the Tamaraws answered with a 4-1 run of their own to take a 10-7 advantage. La Salle found itself playing catchup with FEU converting back-to-back points on multiple occasions. Camcam once again closed the set for the Tamaraws, 25-18, to force a fifth and final set.
With the match at stake, the two teams stepped up their play on both offense and defense. As the set progressed, the Green Spikers slowly broke away to gain a five point advantage at 12-7. The Tamaraws responded with a 7-2 run to tie the scores at 14-all and extend the set. However, an FEU net touch and an attack from Onia down the line gave La Salle the set at 17-15 to win the match.
Despite their loss, the Tamaraws outperformed DLSU as a team in the attacking and blocking categories with 58 attacks and 15 blocks as opposed to La Salle’s 54 attacks and seven blocks. On the other hand, the Green Spikers got in seven service aces and incurred only 32 unforced errors against FEU’s three aces and 38 errors.
Coach Pamilar noted that teamwork was instrumental in today’s victory, saying, “Nagtulong-tulong talaga. Yun yung inaantay namin sa team eh. Tapos medyo enjoy din [sila].”(They helped each other out and that was what we needed. Plus, they also enjoyed themselves.)
The Green Spikers will next face the AdU Soaring Falcons on March 19, Sunday, at 8 am in the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Despite their victory, Pamilar mentioned that they still have to improve on their team chemistry for the succeeding matches. “Pag nangyari yun, makakabawi na ang La Salle against Adamson.” (If they do that, La Salle can get even with Adamson.)
The scores:
DLSU 106– Dumago 16, Onia 14, Bacon 14, Jose 10, Delos Reyes 6, Del Pilar 4, G. Asia 2, Marco 1, Dimayuga 1
FEU 108- Dolor 22, Paler 14, Solis 13, Quiel 10, Bugaoan 8, Camcam 7, Silang 1, Garcia 1
