The De La Salle University Green Spikers clung to their slim Final Four hopes, dispatching the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle ended their two-game losing streak and improved their record to 5-8.
However, their chance at making the semifinals no longer lies solely in their hands. Aside from winning their final match of the second round outing against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws (9-2) on April 15, also at the MOA Arena, the Taft-based program also need both the Adamson Soaring Falcons (6-6) and the UST Tiger Spikers (5-7) to drop all their remaining matches.
“Ginagawa talaga naming motivation sa team ‘yung mga graduating players namin,” said La Salle head coach Norman Miguel, pertaining to Raymark Woo, Arjay Onia, Jopet Movido, Cris Dumago, Levin Dimayuga and team captain Mike Frey.
“Nangako kami before this season na babaguhin namin ‘yung finish namin, na makakapasok kami ulet sa Final Four. Sila ngayon ‘yung lagi naming kinakausap to keep them motivated sa goals namin,” the first-year mentor added.
La Salle eked out close wins in the first two sets thanks to clutch transition plays. After grabbing a 16-6 lead in the third frame, the Green Spikers almost allowed their Katipunan-based foes to crawl all the way back. Their advantage was trimmed to 21-20, but La Salle surged to nail the match’s last four points courtesy of off-system hits from Woo and Onia.
Onia finished with 20 points, while Woo added 14.
Opposite hitter Mark Millete was the lone bright spot for the also-ran Maroons, scoring 18 markers.
UP (3-10) will take on the University of the East Red Warriors (0-11) on April 14 at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Onia 20, Woo 14, Dumago 12, Reyes 4, Maravilla 2, Delos Reyes 1, Jose 1, Marco 1, Asia 0, Dimayuga 0, Hendriyanto 0, Movido (L)
UP (0) – Millete 18, Miguel 8, Castillo 7, San Pascual 6, San Pedro 6, Consuelo 3, Acuna 1, Baldelovar 1, Gohoc 0, Madrigalejos 0, Nasol (L)
