The DLSU Green Spikers returned to the fray while the Lady Spikers officially launched their UAAP Season 88 Beach Volleyball campaigns yesterday, November 22, at Sands SM by the Bay. Despite a spirited stand from the Taft-based squad, the day ended in a collective drought as the Green-and-White absorbed stinging losses against their respective matches.
Continuing their campaign, the Green Spikers struggled to find momentum against the ADMU Blue Eagles. The Lasallian duo’s attacks often veered off-course, allowing the Blue Eagles to dictate the tempo and capitalize on errors. Unable to counter the aerial dominance, the Green Spikers succumbed to the wings of ADMU in straight sets, 21-12, 21-15.
Meanwhile, the Lady Spikers showed grit and promise in their season opener but faced a heartbreaking double-whammy. Veteran campaigners Ela Raagas, Mica Buis, and Sophia Sindayen showcased noticeable strides in chemistry and stamina yet absorbed an initial setback against the FEU Tamaraws, 22-20, 21-14. Hoping to salvage the day, the trio engaged in a grueling three-set duel against archrival ADMU, eventually ceding a gallant stand to the Blue Eagles’ crucial late-game runs to end with 22-20, 16-21, 19-17.
Stuck in a groove
The Lady Spikers faced the cunning tandem of FEU’s Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons in their morning matchup. Unfortunately, they fell short of claiming their first victory, losing in straight sets, 22-20, 21-14, against the squad from Morayta.
The opening frame was a fierce exchange of blows, with both squads trading points to reach the first court switch, with the ladies donning green on top, 4-3. Propelled by a service ace from Raagas, they managed to carve out an early 9-7 edge. FEU, however, swiftly erased the deficit, turning the tables as Pons unleashed a barrage of knuckle shots to establish a 16-14 cushion.
The tide shifted once more as a Tamaraw error—paired with Buis’ back-to-back short tips—pushed the Lady Spikers to set point, 20-17. Yet, FEU’s composure on the service line triggered a meltdown in DLSU’s reception, forcing shank passes and an eventual 20-all deadlock. Another heavy floater and a solid defensive denial against Raagas forced the Lady Spikers to hand over the set, 22-20.
The second set witnessed a complete breakdown in La Salle’s cohesion as they were unable to answer the onslaught of the Tamaraws’ offense. The game became lopsided, with DLSU often trailing for as much as ten points. A stream of attack errors and misplaced services did not help their cause, quickly swelling the deficit to 19-9 in favor of FEU. Despite a defiant six-to-nothing run late in the frame, 20-14, the Lady Spikers were ultimately unable to tame the horns of the FEU Tamaraws, 21-14.
A setback, not a step back
The opening frame saw the Lady Spikers fall in a valiant effort to the Blue Eagles in a thrilling 22-20 loss. Despite early errors, the Taft-based duo of Raagas and Buis found their rhythm, utilizing sharp serves and cut shots to enter the technical timeout with a 12-9 advantage. However, Ateneo capitalized on defensive lapses to mount a comeback, overtaking the lead at 19-15 before the Green-and-White forced a deadlock at 19-all. In the ensuing deuce, the Katipunan-based squad displayed steadier nerves, executing a decisive tap and a tactical hit off the block to steal the set and end at 22-20.
Refusing to back down, the Lasallians mounted a fierce comeback in the second set to level the match, 21-16. The period began as a deadlocked exchange in the scorching sand, with Buis’ service aces and Raagas’ placements keeping the score knotted at 11-all. The Lady Spikers broke away after the technical break, orchestrating a decisive run to build a commanding 19-13 cushion. Although the Blue Eagles attempted a late rally via one-two plays, a short placement from Buis and a final service error from Liz Lomocso handed the frame to La Salle, ending the set, 21-16.
The third and deciding set became a tense tug-of-war battle with ten deadlocks, testing the composure of the Taft-based squad in the sand. DLSU fought through early service aces against Ateneo’s shaky defense, backed by Buis’ offensive prowess and Raagas’ tactical placements, which allowed them to reach match point first, 14-13. Crucial breaks late in the set tipped the balance toward the Blue Eagles, who pushed four deuces, eventually escaping with a 19-17 finish.
Trial by fire
The Green Spikers faced the mighty duo of ADMU’s Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio in their first matchup of the day. Their attempt of attaining victory was all for naught, losing in hard-fought straight sets, 21-12, 21-15, against the Eagles.
The opening frame did not hold back in giving the Green Spikers any favors, with Marata launching a mishandled serve right off the bat coupled with the resilience and tight defense of the eagles, leading the Spikers in green to fall behind before the first switch, 4-1. After a spike by Espejo, the cracks in La Salle’s composure started to show as Ateneo continued to capitalize on their costly errors and defensive lapses showcasing their dominance and collectedness, making it difficult for the Spikers to mount a comeback as they surrendered a five-to-nothing run, 9-3. While the Green Spikers’ made an effort to cut the lead with a three-to-nothing run, their plans to progress further went haywire as the Blue Eagles continue to go toe-to-toe and force their hand in contributing to multiple attack and defense blunders trailing as far as nine points, 15-6, in favor of ADMU.
In an effort to regain momentum, Espejo delivered on both ends, starting with a tough block and a service ace, cutting the deficit to 15-8. After a timeout, the two teams battled it out and were on the receiving ends of attack errors. Even so, ADMU’s indomitable spirit continued fighting to maintain their lead while DLSU struggled to find a way to break through their defense. Through multiple bouts of tough rallies and a string of errors from both teams, a tip from Pacinio and an attack error off a bad shank pass from Espejo is what sealed the set for their archrivals, 21-12.
The second set witnessed an all-out assault as both teams fought tooth and nail. Even when it seemed like DLSU found their groove, the Katipunan-based squad answered with a three-to-nothing run with Salarzon taking the charge, 5-2. Despite strong finishes by the Spikers’ and service errors on both sides, the Blue Eagles continued to hang on, 8-5, as La Salle made their way to reduce their deficit after the first court switch. Afterwards, the Green Spikers slowly made a resurgence through the two-way efforts of both players leading to their first lead of the matchup, 13-12. Even though they were regaining their momentum and engaging in strong back-and-forths, numerous blunders are what did them in. In the end, the Green Spikers could not escape the fierce battle cries of the ADMU Blue Eagles, 21-15.
Following a difficult day for the Taft-based squads, both sides are determined to rally it back on November 23. As the Green and Lady Spikers battle the UST Growling Tigers and Tigresses, respectively, at 7:45 am and 10 am, at the same venue.
