The De La Salle University Green Spikers denied the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers’ comeback attempt to win in four sets, 25-16 25-22 19-25 25-21, in the Collegiate Conference of the Spikers’ Turf, Monday morning at the Philsports Arena.
The Taft-based spikers won the first two sets with romps, capitalizing on the errors of UST to take these frames.
The Thomasians settled down in the third with outside hitter Manuel Medina clicking. Miscues from the Green Spikers this time made it easier for UST to take the set.
La Salle head Ccach Nes Pamilar pulled his key players before the fourth set to refocus his team.
“Bago pa lang magstart ng fourth set, nilabas ko sila [Mike] Frey, [Geuel] Asia, [Arjay] Onia, para pag-isipan nila yung nangyayari,” he shared. “Para pagpasok ng fourth set, alam na nila yung gagawin.”
The green-shirts took the initiative in the fourth set, but the Espana-based spikers crept back, gaining a 19-18 after denying Onia on an attempted kill.
However, the La Sallians tied the set with an off-the-block hit at the next rally. From there, DLSU grabbed the momentum and finished the match with two straight blocks of Frey off UST’s Medina.
It was a tight battle on the scoring departments with UST getting the edge in all of categories. The story of the game boiled down to the Tigers’ horrible 40 errors in the match.
Onia led DLSU with 14 points, all from attacks. Frey, on his part, had 12 points, 3 of them coming from blocks.
Medina once more steered UST with 16 markers, while setter Timothy Tajanlangit also helped out offensively with 10.
When asked about their possible adjustments if a third game is set to take place, Pamilar looks to improve the team’s frontline.
“Siguro pag nagka-Game 3, may aayusin kami sa blocking nila. Iimprove pa namin,” he closed.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Onia 14, Woo 13, Frey 12, Jose 6, G. Asia 4, Del Pilar 4, Maravilla 1, Dimayuga 0, Marco 0, Movido (L), R. Asia (L)
UST (1) – Medina 16, Sumagaysay 10, Tajanlangit 10, Bautista 9, Amagan 7, Carodan 7, Jose 2, Umandal 2, Millado 9, Francisco 0, Sawal (L)
