After a string of baffling performances, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons got back to .500 with a straight-set win over the undermanned De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-21, 25-23, 25-17, to start their second round campaign at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Both squads played splendidly, surrendering a combined 26 errors only. The Fighting Maroons, however, relied on solid floor defense in key moments to power past their Taft counterparts. In the second set, UP erased a 16-21 La Salle lead to take a 23-21 advantage. After giving up an error, the Maroons executed in the following side-out chances to take the 2-0 set lead. From there, the La Sallians lost steam and crumbled in the final set.
“May mga naging problema ‘yung team pero napupunan naman na. Maganda ang pinapakita nila kumakailan sa ensayo. Kita mo talagang gusto nilang bumawi,” said UP head coach Rod Palmero, whose squad had lost three straight matches after going 3-1.
Sophomore Mark Millete led the Maroons in scoring for the third straight match with 18 points, while veteran Alfred Vabuena made up for barely playing in their last match with 16 markers. Skipper Wendel Miguel, who had suffered a right shoulder injury, played parts of two sets and managed eight markers.
UP improve their record to 4-4, still seated at third in the standings. They take on the undefeated Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (8-0) on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arjay Onia topped La Salle with 13 points, sophomore Geriant Bacon added 12, while Levin Dimayuga pitched in 11.
La Salle remain at seventh with a 2-6 record. They also play on Sunday, taking on the Far Eastern University Tamaraws (5-3).
The Scores
UP (3) – Millete 18, Valbuena 16, Miguel 8, San Pedro 8, Castillo 4, San Pascual 4, Baldelovar 2, Acuna 0, Baldelovar 0, Luna (L), Nasol (L)
DLSU (0) – Onia 13, Bacon 12, Dimayuga 11, Del Pilar 5, Jose 5, Asia V. 4, Asia R. 0, Movido (L)
