Coming off a devastating loss, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers took care of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in straight sets 25-20, 27-25, 25-11, in the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference presented by PLDT Home Ultera at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
Last Thursday, DLSU let the NCBA Wildcats comeback from a 0-2 hole mostly due to their ineptitude in serving and reception. In today’s match, La Salle remedied their previous infractions and controlled the entire match. Firing off loaded serves to the tune of 10 aces, the Green Spikers gave the FEU back line fits, resulting to multiple free balls and a slower FEU attacking pace. The Boys from Taft also out-worked the Tams in every scoring skill.
Towering open hitter, Arjay Onia got his rhythm late in the match and handed in 15 points with three aces and a block. La Salle team captain, Raymark Woo contributed 14 points while opposite hitter, Mike Frey had his best offensive game of the season with 11 markers.
La Salle got off to an early five-point lead in the opening set which the Tamaraws could not overcome. FEU started the second frame with renewed offensive vigor thanks to solid floor defense. The Tams held a 16-13 lead when La Salle slowly hacked away at their lead and eventually forced a deuce which they won thanks to attacks from Raymark Woo. The third set went swimmingly for Coach Ronald Dulay’s squad as FEU seemed to have all life sucked out of it sue to the manner they lost the previous frame.
“Talagang pinaghandaan lang namin ‘yung kalaban namin. Napansin kasi namin na malakas ‘yung FEU sa mga quick plays kaya pinaghandaan through serving and blocking. Dahil sa pagkatalo namin last time, medyo matindi ‘yung ensayo namin the past three days,” said DLSU head coach Ronald Dulay.
FEU team captain, Greg Dolor continued his string of good offensive games, dishing out a team-high 15 points. Dolor, however, was the only Tam who broke double-digits as his coaching staff constantly shuffled around their spikers. Fourth-year FEU setter, Ronchet Villegas made his Spikers’ Turf debut and netted 16 excellent sets.
With the win, La Salle improves to a 3-2 record and has an inside track on a Top 4 spot. FEU, on the other hand, is yet to win a match in the semis and drop to the bottom of the standings with a 0-5 slate.
The Green Spikers will face the undefeated NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, August 26, while FEU will lock horns with UP Fighting Maroons on the same day.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Onia 15, Woo 14, Frey 11, Del Pilar 8, Calasin 6, Dimayuga 2, Asia 1, Dumago 0, Movido (L)
FEU (0) – Dolor 15, Villegas 5, Cayaban 4, Quiel 3, Bugaoan 3 Gacutan 2, Margate 1, Barrica 1, Garcia 1, Silang 0, Solis 0, Marmeto (L)
