By: Ernest Tuazon
UAAP teams De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University opened their 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on rousing notes.
Defending champions Green Spikers dug deep to escape the Letran Knights, taking a 25-19, 27-25, 28-26 victory.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles romped past the EAC Generals, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, on Sunday at Paco Arena.
Team captain Menard Guerrero anchored the Green Spikers’ defensive frontline with 15 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
Chris Hernandez then led the team’s offense with 14 points on 11 attacks, two aces, and a block.
“Kailangan idefend ‘yung title namin, pero hindi ‘yon ‘yung tinutukan namin. Sinasabi ko lang, whoever ‘yung katapat nila, make sure na they respect it, kasi third-ranked din sa NCAA ‘yan,” Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque said.
(C) V-League Images
Meanwhile, Aimar Okeke spearheaded the Blue Eagles’ charge with 17 points, built on 11 attacks, four aces, and two blocks, adding six excellent digs.
Key holdovers Jian Salarzon and Kennedy Batas also contributed with nine and eight markers, respectively.
“Sumunod lang naman ‘yung mga players sa new system. Wala ako masyado ini-expect kasi alam ko sa game na ito, magkakaroon kami ng maraming unforced errors, pero dahil sumusunod lang sila talaga sa gusto ko mangyari,” said interim Blue Eagles head coach Vince Mangulabnan.
With the Knights on the verge of sending the match to a fourth set, 21-24, La Salle built a 7-2 run to complete its sweep of Letran, capped by an attack from Hernandez and an error from Steven Sta. Maria.
Similar to their third set comeback, the Green Spikers rallied from two points down (22-24) via a 5-1 blitz to take a commanding two sets to none advantage.
Vince Himzon poured in 14 points for the Knights, while Sta. Maria chipped in nine markers.
Jan Abor paced EAC with 16 points, including 12 attacks and four blocks, while Frelwin Taculog added 10 markers.
