The DLSU Green Spikers were unsuccessful at defeating the NU Bulldogs after losing in four sets, 24-26, 25-19, 20-25, 26-28, earlier today at the FilOil Flying V Center.
Five of the six starters for NU scored double-digit points, with Bryan Bagunas leading all scorers with 18 points. In the losing effort, Raymark Woo and Arjay Onia each recorded 16 points, while Cris Dumago generated 22 excellent receptions.
At the beginning of the first set, the Bulldogs overwhelmed the Green Spikers with a four-point run via spikes from Fauzi Ismail and James Natividad, a service ace by Bagunas, and a service error committed by Wayne Marco. La Salle trimmed the lead down to one point after the second technical timeout, behind a five-point rally instigated by a net touch error from NU. Kim Malabunga would close out the set in favor of the Bulldogs after scoring the last two points by virtue of a spike and block, 24-26.
The Green-and-White maintained its composure despite losing the previous set as it was able to match evenly with NU, keeping the game from getting out of hand. In the midst of the second technical intermission, La Salle managed to create a lead after going on a six-point rally following offensive and defensive efforts by Onia and John Delos Reyes, coupled with unforced errors from the Bulldogs. A spike kill from Onia would give the Taft-based squad the set, despite multiple attempts coming from Bagunas to cut the lead of DLSU, 25-19.
After losing the second set, NU waited patiently for the right moment to seize the third set. The chance surfaced after the first technical timeout wherein the Bulldogs slowly built their lead. La Salle tried several times to fabricate a scoring run but it could not contain the offensive firepower that NU had in their lineup, 20-25.
With the NU Bulldogs being one set away from winning the match, the Green Spikers mustered a three-point lead by the first technical recess after which the lead would change hands three times by the second technical break. NU remained calm and collected as it was within match point territory, Dumago had other plans, however, as he singlehandedly extended the set twice when the Bulldogs were at match point. In NU’s third match point opportunity,, Dumago would attempt to tie the set again but Natividad was able to read the play and block the Dumago’s spike kill which gave NU both the set and the match.
This loss now gives La Salle a win-loss record of 3-6 which ties them with UP and places them sixth in the standings. The Green Spikers will look to return to the winning column when they face the UST Growling Tigers on March 25, 8 am at the same venue.
The scores:
DLSU (95) – Woo 16, Onia 16, Dumago 14, Marco 8, Delos Reyes 4, Reyes 1
NU (98) – Bagunas 18, Natividad 14, Malabunga 14, Ismail 13, Saura 10, Dayandante 4
