With two matches left in the preliminary showdown, the DLSU Green Spikers sneaked past the UPHSD Altas with a close 27-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory in the V-League Men’s Division earlier today, September 8, at the Paco Arena.
On the frontline of the DLSU Green Spikers was Player of the Game Eco Adajar, who led the team with 17 excellent sets and posted three points off two blocks and one attack. Also boosting the Green-and-White were Joshua Magalaman and Chris Hernandez, who listed 13 and 10 points, respectively. Opposite hitter Michael John Fortuna also played a key role and chipped in 16 points of 14 attacks, one ace, and one block.
Meanwhile, Kobe Tabuga commanded the field of the UPHSD Altas by unleashing 16 points from 14 attacks and two blocks. Jefferson Marapoc and Kc Andrade also came on board, tallying 11 and seven points, respectively.
All about the finish
In the first leg of their match, the DLSU Green Spikers made a strong comeback in the first set against the UPHSD Altas. After falling behind, they overcame a two-point deficit at the first technical timeout due to the Altas’ errors and strategic plays, leading 12-9. The game saw several lead changes, but over-receptions by DLSU allowed the squad in maroon to gain a slight edge, reaching the second technical timeout with a 16-14 lead.
UPHSD continued to build on their momentum with a strong offense, securing a five-point lead of 19-14 and prompting La Salle to call for a timeout. Despite this, DLSU displayed great composure and narrowed the margin to just two points at 21-19 after Eric Layug’s impressive denial. Although the Altas were on the verge of winning the set, Magalaman, with a bit of sass, scored three consecutive denials, leading to a deuce at 24-all. Ultimately, Eugene Gloria’s serves disrupted UPHSD’s defensive strategy, leading to two consecutive errors and allowing them to clinch the set, 27-25.
Breaking locks
The Green Spikers had a promising start to the second set of the match. To gain a three-point margin, Magalaman marked a towering block, which was followed by a swift hit from Gloria, pushing the score to 5-2. The Altas briefly took the lead after a solid block from Tabuga, but Fortuna quickly tied the match with a precise corner attack, making it 9-all. The teams continued to battle it head-to-head until the second technical timeout of the set, with the Altas leading 16-15.
Level scores between the Green-and-White and the Maroon went on, and both teams exchanged commanding attacks and key plays. A crosscourt attack from Gloria tied the score at 17-all, keeping them on even footing with their opponents. After multiple deadlocks, Magalaman stretched the gap by just a few after deploying two attacks accompanied by an attack error from the Altas, bringing the score to 20-18.
In the latter part of the second set, both teams called multiple timeouts to slow down the pace. Despite this, the Green Spikers remained unfazed and kept the heat on high as Fortuna capitalized on an off-the-block with a quick attack followed immediately by a clever tip from Hernandez, bringing them closer to their second set win, 23-20. Joshua Jamiel Rodriguez, who only began playing in the second period, ended up clinching the game with a decisive delayed jump attack, 25-22.
Close call
With a two-set advantage, the Green Spikers showed great determination entering the third set. It was a closely contested match, with both teams battling fiercely to score points. Hernandez displayed impressive offensive prowess, leading La Salle to an 8-7 lead at the first technical timeout with two powerful hits. Meanwhile, Marapoc stood out for the Atlas, keeping up with the Archers’ pacing and even putting UPHSD ahead at 15-14. Despite Marapoc’s efforts, Rui Ventura emerged as a smart plug for the Green Spikers, scoring three crucial points to give the team a set-point advantage, 24-21. Ultimately, La Salle secured the victory with a score of 25-21, thanks to Hernandez’s decisive crosscourt hit.
Player of the Game Adajar eagerly awaits the tough challenge posed by the NU Bulldogs in their upcoming match-up. “Last year kalaban na namin sila (NU)…‘yung preparation naman namin every game, every opponent, pare-parehas lang eh. Magde-depende lang talaga kung gano kami kahanda at kung sino yung makakalaban namin,” he said.
(We faced NU last year. Our preparation is the same for every game, regardless of the opponent. It really depends on how prepared we are and who we’re up against)
The DLSU Green Spikers are determined to end the preliminaries on a high note as they clash against the ferocious NU Bulldogs on Friday, September 13, at 5 pm.
The Scores:
DLSU 3 – Fortuna 16, Magalaman 13, Hernandez 10, Gloria, 8, Adajar 3, Ventura 3, Mendoza 2, Rodriguez 2, Layug 1, De Castro 1, Poquita 0, Retiro 0, Guerrero 0
UPHSD 0 – Tabuga 16, Marapoc 11, Andrade 7, Bornel 4, Pascua 2, Mateo 2, Castil 2, Manaloto 2, Rosos 1, Gelogo 0, Mohammad 0, Favila 0, Jestre 0, Galila 0
Set Scores: 27-25, 25-22, 25-21
