Returning open spiker Raymark Woo fired from all angles to lift the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in straight sets, 25-18, 28-26, 26-24 in the UAAP Season 78 men’s volleyball tournament at the PhilSports Arena, Wednesday morning.
In the opening set, Woo and Ralph Calasin bombarded the Red Warriors’ floor defense with their powerful spikes as UE struggled to control their errors and receive the ball. In the waning moments of the set, Woo scored two straight points to give DLSU set point, 24-18. A miscommunication between the Red Warriors players helped the Green Spikers book a one-set-to-none advantage against UE.
With both teams battling back and forth in the second set, UE were able to take a slim lead, 9-6. Unfortunately, Red Warrior Samuel Lelic injured his left ankle during a joust against the Green Spikers players at the net. Medical staff quickly attended Lelic, who was rushed to the hospital to further check the severity of the injury. Motivated to make up for the loss of their teammate, UE battled La Salle neck-and-neck and were able to maintain their lead, 20-16. Woo, Calasin, and Arjay Onia conspired to tie the set at 22, but Edward Camposano gave UE a breather at 23-22. Woo, however, scored two straight points to give DLSU a 24-22 lead. However, the Red Warriors refused to give up, as they extended the set with Ruvince Abrot and Camposano forcing a deadlock at 26. Luckily for DLSU, Onia and Woo provided crucial points down the wire to snatch the set away from the inspired Red Warriors.
UE enjoyed a 23-21 advantaged in a tight third set. Dumago and Woo joined forces to snatch the lead at 23-22, and a service error from Red Warrior Ronjey Adviento gave DLSU their first match point at 24-22. UE were able to notch consecutive points after Woo committed an attack error to equal things at 24, but two straight errors from UE gave DLSU the victory.
DLSU coach Ronald Dulay praised the returning Woo, who had missed the last season due to an ACL injury.
“Actually si Raymark (Woo) nag a-adjust pa siya kahit na fully recovered na siya. Nag-iingat pa rin siya at determinado siya bumalik this UAAP Season. Sinasabi niya sa akin gusto niya talaga tumulong sa team na ngayong nakabalik na siya,” Dulay added.
Woo scored 19 points, 17 coming from attacks, to lead the Green Spikers. Onia and Calasin also had 14 and 12 marks apiece.
Abrot finished with 12 points, while Reigning Rookie of the Year Camposano contributed 11 hits and 3 digs for the Red Warriors.
The Green Spikers will next face the National University Bulldogs on February 7, 10 AM at the FilOil Flying V Centre, while the Red Warriors tackle the Adamson University Soaring Falcons a day earlier, 8 AM at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores:
DLSU (3) – Woo 19, Onia 14, Calasin 12, Dumago 6, Frey 5, Bacon 2, Jose 1, G.Asia 1, Dimayuga 0, R. Asia (L), Movido (L)
UE (0)– Abrot 12, Camposano 11, Adviento 7, Imperial 4, Ortega 4, Lelic 3, Imperial 0, Pron (L), Inoferio (L)
