Almost letting a two-set lead slip, the De La Salle University Green Spikers recovered just in time to squeeze past the University of the East Red Warriors, 25-14, 25-10, 23-25, 22-25, 15-13, for their second win in UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
La Salle’s dominance through the first two sets was stemmed by UE’s gritty floor defense, which tallied most of their 73 digs in the last three sets.
“Hind siguro kami naka-adjust agad sa ginagawa ng UE,” said La Salle head coach Arnold Laniog.
“Nahirapan din kami tumapos ng mga set na dikitan which is nagiging problema talaga namin this season,” the NCAA champion coach continued.
The fifth set had both teams trade share of the lead as a La Salle attack error forced a 13-all knot. Following a timeout, Kieffer Reyes pulled La Salle ahead with a quick attack before UE collapsed and gave away an attack fault to end the match.
“Ang maganda is noong dulo nagpakita ng composure ‘yung team kahit ganoon na ‘yung pinakita ng UE. Hopefully, maging consistent kami sa ganoong effort,” added Laniog.
Graduating captain Cris Dumago led the Green Spikers with 17 points while rookie open hitter Billie Anima added 16.
Clifford Inoferio topped the Red Warriors with 16 points. Geric Ortega contributed 12 markers.
Both teams play their final matches of the first round at the FilOil Flying V Centre. La Salle (2-4) takes on Far Eastern University (5-0) on Saturday while UE (1-5) takes on University of Santo Tomas (3-3) on Sunday.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Dumago 17, Anima 16, Reyes 14, Bacon 13, Delos Reyes 9, Serrano 3, Aquio 0, Balanong 0, Macaspac (L)
UE (2) – Inoferio 16, Ortega 12, Alba 10, Abalon 8, Cacayan 4, Josafat 1, Reyes 1, Imperial 0, Medina (L), Solis (L)
