The DLSU Green Spikers completely outplayed the UP Fighting Maroons in straight sets, 25-23, 25-13, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament earlier today, March 10, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Vince Maglinao led the Green Spikers with a well-rounded performance, scoring 14 points with 59 percent attack efficiency and a block. Rookie setter Eco Adajar ran the offense brilliantly, contributing 16 excellent sets, two aces, and a block. His playmaking helped three other Green Spikers reach double-digit scoring.
No UP player managed to score in double digits, but Jessie Rubin paced the Fighting Maroons with eight points, while Angelo Lagando and Angelo Lipata chipped in seven points each.
Testing the waters
The first point of the match was opened by the Green Spikers with Maglinao hitting the back row. The Maroons tried to equalize, but an attack error brought the lead back to DLSU, 2-1. Both sides of the court were slowly shifting into the game, testing each other’s play style as they went. From the opposite side of the net, UP committed a service error, giving a free point to the Green Spikers. This gave way for Noel Kampton to score for his team once again, 9-6, followed by a block point by Nathaniel Del Pilar, 10-6. With a four-point lead, the Fighting Maroons called a timeout to regroup.
After the huddle, the scores were somewhat stagnant for the Green-and-White, attack errors narrowing down the gap by two points, 10-8. They slowly picked up the pace, with Del Pilar’s stunning crosscourt attacks, 12-9. UP went off the block and DLSU committed a net touch which brought the game to a one-point lead in favor of the Green Spikers. The Taft towers’ defense was tough as solid blocks denied the ball’s entry from the left and right of the net. The latter part of the game was composed of close minutes, as both teams fought hard to keep their team on top. The Green Spikers had a stagnant moment while the Maroons seemingly caught up with their game, but the Lasallians persevered, ending the first set on a high note, 25-23.
Well-oiled machine
The DLSU Green Spikers controlled the second set with a well-rounded team effort. They surged ahead early with a service ace by Adajar and blocks from Kampton, 3-0. Service errors gave the Fighting Maroons a lifeline, but JM Ronquillo’s offensive firepower from different zones widened the gap again, 7-2. Even a point off a La Salle block couldn’t slow DLSU’s momentum, 8-4. The Green Spikers’ offense continued to click with Adajar’s precise sets feeding the wings for powerful kills as well as steady defense from the net, extending their lead to a comfortable 12-6.
UP managed a brief response with a one-two play by Clarence Santiago, but the Katipuneros still trailed La Salle by five, 12-7. Maglinao, drawing on his beach volleyball background, added some dazzling plays to the scoreboard, pushing the score to a dominant 19-8. La Salle closed out the set decisively with young guns Rui Ventura and Uriel Mendoza providing valuable contributions. The Maroons also committed critical errors down the stretch, allowing La Salle to cruise to a comfortable 25-13 victory in the second set.
Ultimate sweep
In what became the final set of the match, the Fighting Maroons scored the first point. A few rallies after, the set was at a 2-all, with a score by Ronquillo, hitting the back row. Unfortunately for the opponents, it was deemed unsuccessful, the point going to the Green Spikers, 6-3. Eric Layug also stepped onto the court and raked in a point for his team, earning cheers from his teammates and the audience alike, 9-5. Keeping the fire burning, a service ace by Adajar joined another point, giving the Green Spikers a five-point lead, 11-6.
DLSU committed their fair share of attack errors, but they were quick to persevere through them from gathering points earlier in the set. Libero substitutions were also commenced, giving the audience a glimpse of both a Jonathan De Castro and Menard Guerrero play. Team Captain Ronquillo proudly scored for his team, 21-19, and the players of the Green-and-White huddled up and shared cheers. Kampton felt the heat and showcased his powerful attacks, scoring almost consecutive points for the Green Spikers, 24-21. The cherry on top was a service error by the UP Fighting Maroons, giving the Lasallians a three-set sweep and a streak kept alive, 25-22.
After the match, Player of the Game Maglinao shared his feelings about his team topping the rankings. He expresses, “Siyempre masaya kasi nagbubunga yung pinaghirapan namin sa training, pero at the same time, hindi pa rin kami contented kasi may mga areas pa kami na kailangang i-improve.”
(Of course, we’re happy because our hard work in training is paying off, but at the same time, we’re still not contented because there are still areas we need to improve on.)
Nearing the end of the first round, the DLSU Green Spikers are now standing at a 5-1 record, alongside other teams. They aim to pierce through the tie to their advantage and earn the top seed.
The DLSU Green Spikers are set to face fellow top scorer, the NU Bulldogs, on March 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
DLSU 3 – Maglinao 14, Kampton 13, Ronquillo 12, Del Pilar 11, Anima 5, Adajar 3, Mendoza 2, Layug 2, De Jesus 1, Ventura 1, Guerrero 0, Poquita 0, De Castro 0, Gloria 0,
UP 0 – Rubin 8, Lagando 7, Lipata 7, Gamban 6, Nicolas 6, Chavez 3, Santiago 3, Malabanan 1, Samaniego 0, Eusebio 0, Juntilla 0
Set Scores: 25-23, 25-13, 25-22
