Reigning NCAA Men’s Volleyball champions University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas subdued the young De La Salle University Green Spikers in four sets, 25-10, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, and clinched their second consecutive victory of the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, Wednesday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
With the Green Spikers missing seniors Wayne Marco and captain Cris Dumago, the squad had to deal with errant passing, which the Altas capitalized on, especially in that first set.
La Salle tightened up their defense in the second, but there was no denying the Las Piñas-based side their win after the latter adjusted well in their connections and scored mostly from the service line.
The excellent service game from Perpetual, coupled with the green-shirts’ receptions woes, was the main factor in the end. Team captain Patrick Ramos and Ron Rosales paced the Altas in this department with three each.
Rosales finished the match with 13 markers, as Ramos and NCAA Season 93 Rookie Most Valuable Player Joebert Almodiel both added 12 points.
Perpetual assistant coach Joaquin Marcelo rued his wards’ attitude and complacency in that second-set loss. “Andun pa rin ‘yung inconsistency nila. Nagre-relax sila, ina-underestimate nila ‘yung kalaban.” he said.
However, he knows this is part of the learning process of his new players, especially for rookie setter EJ Casana. The long-time deputy shared, “Ang ginawa kasi namin dun sa mga bago, lalo na ‘yung setter, sobrang laking bagay na ‘yung setter, nawala talaga. ‘Yung setter namin, bago talaga, ine-expose namin. Ang ginagawa kasi namin: pinapalaro namin ng pinapalaro para makabisado niya yung mga spiker niya. “
Senior spiker Geraint Bacon carried the Taft-based squad with 14 points.
The Altas (3-5) will attempt to close their conference with another win as they face the San Beda Red Spikers (2-5) on August 25 at 1pm. The Green Spikers (2-6) will close their own stint when they battle the Arellano University Chiefs (0-8) earlier that day at 9am.
The Scores:
UPHSD 3 – Rosales 13, Almodiel 12, Ramos 12, Muhali 11, Ramirez 8, Casana 3, Rosos 2, Isidro 1, Baggayan 1, Enarciso 0, Bation 0, Atentar L, Go L.
DLSU 1 – Bacon 14, Reyes 11, Llige 10, Delos Reyes 8, Inocentes 4, Serrano 4, Balanog 0, De Jesus 0, Macaspac L, Sumalinog L.
