The DLSU Green and Lady Spikers had a lackluster start to their UAAP Season 87 Beach Volleyball Tournament campaigns at the Sands SM By the Bay earlier today, November 15. The Lady Spikers crumbled against the AdU Lady Falcons, 6-21, 18-21. Meanwhile, the Green Spikers went toe-to-toe against the Soaring Falcons, 20-22, 25-27, but ultimately failed to ward off another loss, succumbing to the UST Growling Tigers, 5-21, 10-21, later in the day.
Ladies baffled by jitters
Despite their quest to open UAAP Season 87 Women’s Beach Volleyball on a high note, the DLSU Lady Spikers were outplayed by the AdU Lady Falcons. The match unfurled with an impressive first set from the ladies in blue, demonstrating their composure and skillset. La Salle started strong with an early lead, using powerful spikes to challenge the AdU defense, 4-2. However, the Falcon duo Shaina Nitura and Felicity Sagaysay quickly turned the tide, executing strong serves and strategic plays as the pair forced a 13-to-nothing run that brought the score to 17-4. Although the Lady Spikers managed a brief two-point rally to halt the momentum, the Lady Falcons maintained control and latched the set, 21-6.
A tighter second set was witnessed in the scorching sand. The girls in green showcased a strong defense and effective transitions, which helped them take a narrow lead of 4-3 at the first court switch of the second leg. The intense rallies reflected DLSU’s efforts, culminating in six ties at 11-all. Tactical one-two plays enabled the Taft-based squad to edge ahead, gaining a two-point advantage, 15-13. However, the Lady Falcons gradually took control with soft hits and cut shots, leveling the game at 17-all. Although Lasallian Captain Sophia Sindayen scored a fortunate point, Adamson responded with a decisive four-to-one run, ultimately clinching the match, 21-18.
Seeping with errors
Similarly, the DLSU Green Spikers found themselves grounded by the AdU Soaring Falcons, falling in straight sets. Early in the match, the impressive duo of Andre Espejo and Von Marata showcased their offensive power, with Marata’s down-the-line hit and service ace giving DLSU a brief two-point lead at the first court switch, 8-6. However, errors began to creep in, and the Falcons capitalized on the shift in momentum. Their strong defense allowed them to seize control, leading to seven deadlocks in the first set. While DLSU initially reached set point at 20-19, Marc Paulino’s clever drop shot leveled the score at 20-all. A cut shot from Willie Hiltones and Espejo’s subsequent wide service ultimately led Adamson to claim the first set, 22-20.
Determined to force a decisive set, the Green Spikers opened the second set with a 3-1 lead, bolstered by Espejo’s strong blocking. The match saw a competitive back-and-forth of attacks, resulting in 14 deuces that kept the crowd on edge. Adamson briefly managed to pull ahead, 12-9, after taking advantage of the consecutive blows from Espejo. However, DLSU fought back, with Espejo delivering key spikes to tie the game, 19-all. Yet in the end, Hiltones’ quick one-two jest and floater serve secured Adamson a 27-25 victory, leaving the Green Spikers empty-handed.
Tigers roar, Archers bow
Later in the day, the DLSU Green Spikers faced the UST Growling Tigers, who swiftly asserted their dominance in a commanding two-set win. After Dominique Gabito drew first blood, the Green Spikers seemed rattled, tallying five errors to concede a five-point lead to UST, 6-0. The Green Spikers could not find their groove as they fell victim to UST’s precise attacks, led by Gabito’s powerful shots and crafty knuckle shots. Eventually, UST widened the gap with a ten-point lead, 12-2. Still in control, the Growling Tigers executed a flawless offensive and defensive performance, with Alche Gupiteo delivering a two-for-two lucky shot, 17-4. Meanwhile, the Espejo-Marata duo struggled with errors throughout the set. Unable to mount a comeback, they conceded the set, 21-5.
In the second set, the same ghost haunted the Green Spikers as errors plagued their performance. In contrast, Gupiteo sustained his relentless attacks to give UST a four-point lead, 4-0. DLSU showed flashes of resilience as the Espejo-Marata duo were gifted free points to narrow the gap, 6-3. But Gupiteo soon stopped their momentum with a sharp cross-court attack, displaying his all-around performance and blocking ability, 9-4. The same issues soon overtook La Salle as their errors piled up and Gupiteo maintained his hot form, 15-6. The Growling Tigers seemed unstoppable as Gupiteo hit the ball off the block for match point. Marata managed to secure one point, 20-8. The Green-and-White tandem rallied to reach double digits, but Gabito finally stopped the run and sealed the win for UST, 21-10.
After leading the scoring output for La Salle, Espejo remains optimistic about their chances in the upcoming matches. He plans to apply the lessons he picked up from today’s doubleheader. “Yung preparation namin for tomorrow’s game [ay] tungkol nalang sa mga lessons na nakuha namin…sa Adamson talaga is andoon na kami, nasa amin na yung game, pero [we] fell short. For UST naman, we know na dominant talaga sila, since champion team sa Beach Volleyball, pero lumaban parin kami kahit dehado kami,” he uttered.
(Our preparation for tomorrow’s game is about the lessons we’ve learned…in Adamson, we were already there, and the game was already ours, but we fell short. As for UST, we know they’re really dominant, being the champions in Beach Volleyball, but we still fought even though we were at a disadvantage.)
After a tough day for the Taft-based squads, both teams are focused on seeking redemption in their games tomorrow, November 16, at the same venue. The Lady Spikers will face the ADMU Blue Eagles at 10:45 am and the UP Fighting Maroons at 5 pm. Meanwhile, the Green Spikers are set to go up against the UE Red Warriors at 7:45 am.
