Hungry to start their second-round campaign on a high note, the De La Salle University Green Spikers avenged their loss to the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 27-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, at the Ynares Sports Arena.
First-year La Salle head coach Arnold Laniog admitted that their first-round loss to the Tiger Spikers was a big motivation for the way they played.
“Siguro, sa lahat ng mga talo namin noon first round, sa UST talaga kami nadurog. Straight sets ‘yun. ‘Yung iba naming talo, lumaban naman kami,” said Laniog.
“Medyo hindi rin maganda ‘yung momentum ng UST, kaya sabi ko sa mga player namin na take advantage na namin ‘to habang binibigyan kami ng break,” the NCAA champion coach added.
The Green Spikers got off to a terrific start, thanks to clutch scores from Cris Dumago and Paul Serrano. The fourth set came down to a similar scenario, with La Salle needing clutch conversions from Billie Anima and JD Delos Reyes.
Dumago finished with 18 points while Anima added 12.
Josh Umandal returned from a one-game absence, playing three sets and scoring a game-high 21 points. Manuel Medina tallied 14 markers.
La Salle (3-5) take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (6-2) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. On the other hand, UST (3-5) try to end their skid against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws (7-1) next Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Dumago 18, Anima 12, Bacon 10, Delos Reyes 10, Marco 4, Aquio 2, Reyes 2, De Jesus 1, Serrano 1, Balanong 0, Inocentes 0, Macaspac (L)
UST (1) – Umandal 21, Medina 14, Sumagaysay 10, Corda 4, Requinton 3, Tajanlangit J. 3, Valenzuela 3, Tajanlangit T. 2, Buro 0, Casillan 0, Mendiolla (L), Sawal (L)
