Earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Centre, the DLSU Green Spikers beat the AdU Soaring Falcons in four sets, 27-29, 25-22, 25-21, 25-18. With La Salle’s victory, the Green-and-White was able to improve to a 4-6 win-loss record while AdU holds a 2-8 standing.
Arjay Onia was dominant on both ends of the court, recording 19 points on four blocks and two service aces. Cris Dumago and Geraint Bacon also added 18 and 15 points, respectively. In the losing effort of the Soaring Flacons, both John Yude and Paolo Pablico finished with 13 points each.
The first set saw the Green Spikers take an early lead, but AdU immediately came back and tied the scores at 5-all. At 15-14, the Soaring Falcons proceeded to take the lead, 17-15, after capitalizing on La Salle’s errors. The two teams traded points through various plays throughout the set without one gaining a significant advantage over the other. The set extended and after multiple set points, AdU took the first set at 29-27.
Errors from both teams opened the second set to tie the score at 1-all. After that, AdU made 3-1 run led by Pablico, to which La Salle answered back with a 3-1 run of its own. At 6-all, the Soaring Falcons scored four successive points to leave La Salle trailing behind, 10-6. However, DLSU slowly trimmed the lead at 14-10 and once again leveled the scores at 15-all with a 5-1 run. Despite trailing, 21-20, the Green Spikers took the set at 25-22 after scoring four points consecutively.
As Onia opened the third set in favor of the Green-and-White, AdU then followed up with its first three points of the set with consecutive well-executed plays. Afterwards, a close match ensued all throughout the third set. A 3-0 run was made by the Soaring Falcons to level the score once again at 20-all. La Salle answered back immediately and took a four-point lead, 24-20. While AdU managed to score a point, it was unable to follow through as DLSU managed to protect its lead. An AdU error gave the set to La Salle at 25-21.
The Green Spikers opened the fourth set with a 6-3 run to take an early advantage. AdU’s George Labang scored from an open attack, but Adamson was unable to start a run as DLSU went on with a five-point streak to further widen its lead, 11-4. The Soaring Falcons tried to catch up, but the Green Spikers prevented them from sparking a significant run. Eventually, La Salle closed the set at 25-18 with an attack from Bacon which followed Pablico’s off the block point, ending the match with a 3-1 set count, in favor of La Salle.
DLSU outperformed AdU after accumulating 55 attacks, nine blocks, and six aces while recording 28 errors. On the other hand, AdU made 51 attacks, eight blocks, three aces, and 32 errors throughout the match.
Next up for the Green Spikers are the NU Bulldogs on Saturday, March 25, at 8 am at the same venue. Coach Nes Pamilar said that La Salle will need to be able to adjust in the succeeding game and improve on its services and blocking system. He also added that the Lasallians’ receptions will be crucial, saying, “Kasi nung first round, nung nakalaban ng La Salle ang NU, hindi lang kami nakareceive ng maayos.” (Previously in the first round versus NU, we could not receive the ball properly.)
The Scores:
DLSU 102 – Onia 19, Dumago 18, Bacon 15, Delos Reyes 9, Jose 7, G. Asia 2
ADU 90 – Yude 13, Pablico 13, Labang 12, Sudaria 10, Ramirez 7, Alvarez 4, Pletado 3
