Coming off a redemption-seeking win in their last fixture, the DLSU Green Spikers made another significant step in their redemption tour by shooting down the AdU Soaring Falcons in straight sets, 26-24, 25-17, 25-23, earlier today, April 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. As a result, the team from Taft has successfully booked a trip back to the Final Four and is now tied in the standings with the NU Bulldogs, who also possess a 9-3 record.
The Green-and-White parade was headlined by Team Captain JM Ronquillo’s showing of 16 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Backing him up were fervent spiker Noel Kampton who racked up 12 points paired with 13 excellent receptions as well as Vince Maglinao, who poured in 11 points.
None of the Soaring Falcons managed to score in double-figures, with 11 of their 14 players contributing to their total in a losing effort. Jude Aguilar owned the highest tally of nine points, followed by Marc Paulino’s sum of seven for the squad from Ermita.
Breaking the ice
The start of the match was like trying to crack through solid ice for the Green Spikers. Both teams showcased impressive offense and defense, resulting in several deadlocks. Despite DLSU’s efforts to gain momentum, the Soaring Falcons matched them step by step. A pivotal moment came with a lengthy rally, concluded by Ronquillo’s powerful hit, leveling the score at 9-all.
The exchange of points continued until Adamson seized the lead with consecutive scores, courtesy of Marc Paulino’s breakthrough attack past DLSU’s blockers, 15-14. Feeling the pressure from their opponents’ plays, La Salle’s Head Coach Jose Roque called for a timeout to regroup his players. The opening set remained neck and neck, tied at 22-all, until the Green-and-White surged ahead to set point, thanks to Maglinao’s decisive attack. Topped with unsuccessful challenges from Adamson’s side to delay the match, the team from Taft secured the first set, 26-24.
Birds in the trap
The men in white fell behind early in the set after the Soaring Falcons took mastery of the air and let fly a series of blocks, forcing DLSU to take a timeout, 8-4. While the Ermita-based team performed well on counterattacks and set plays, the Green Spikers took full advantage of AdU’s miscues and converted at the service area as aces from Nat Del Pilar and Ronquillo allowed them to grab back the lead, 14-13.
Following an attack error from Ronquillo that leveled the score at 15-all, another error from the blue shirts sparked a 4-0 run for the Green-and-White, who executed their offense to a tee, 19-15. The same story occurred at the tail end of the set after a service error from Adamson increased their deficit to three, 20-17. With La Salle in control of the latter part of the second set through their serving, the Soaring Falcons’ defense had no answer for DLSU’s firepower alongside Kampton’s might that ignited a massive 5-0 run to win the set, 25-17.
Pulling away
DLSU powered through the third set with teamwork, which was ignited by Kampton’s ace and Del Pilar’s breakthrough net defense and set the tone at 3-2. Ronquillo added finesse with a down-the-line shot, pushing a three-point cushion, 9-6. But, with no room to back down, the Falcons fought back, keeping it close at 15-12.
Yet, the Green Spikers continued their pressuring offensive tactics at the net, which was capped off after Poquita’s sneaky drop, resulting in Adamson calling a timeout, 17-12. La Salle stayed strong, scoring three consecutive points with crosscourt and down-the-line attacks from Kampton, Ronquillo, and Jules De Jesus, who came off the bench and made his presence known on the court with an attack on a rolling ball. It was De Jesus who sealed the deal with an emphatic crosscourt attack at 25-23, securing the match for DLSU.
Team Captain Ronquillo acknowledged that team effort played a huge role in winning this match, especially with the middle blockers contributing more and executing attacks in their upcoming games. He also shared that they still need to focus on the last two games in Round Two before aiming for the twice-to-beat advantage, “Kung malayo ‘yung tingin namin, baka mapabayaan namin kung ano ‘yung nasa harap namin,” Ronquillo uttered on how they should take it one game at a time.
(If we look far ahead, we might end up losing focus on what’s in front of us.)
Despite showcasing a good performance, Head Coach Roque revealed that the coaching staff would always remind their players of the points they need to work on, “Everyday na training, every game na hinaharap namin, we make sure na nandun yung reminders.”
(Everyday training, every game we face, we make sure the reminders are there.)
Still in the running for a chance to obtain a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals by securing a top-two spot in the standings, the Green Spikers will look to pounce on their archrivals, the ADMU Blue Eagles in a stellar showdown on Sunday, April 21, at 12 pm at the same venue.
The Scores:
DLSU 3 – Ronquillo 16, Kampton 12, Maglinao 11, Del Pilar 7, Anima 3, De Jesus 3, Adajar 1, Poquita 1, Gloria 0, Ventura 0
AdU 0 – Aguilar 9, Paulino 7, Coguimbal 6, Gay 6, Tahiluddin 6, Menor 5, Yboa 3, Casas 2, Domingo 2, Bermudez 1, Gutierrez 1, Ballon 0
Set Scores: 26-24, 25-17, 25-23
