The De La Salle University Green Spikers may have missed the Final Four for the fourth straight year, but the Taft-based program has a lot to look forward to for coming seasons.
In head coach Nes Pamilar’s first season, the Green Spikers ended with a 5-9 record after thrashing the University of the East Red Warriors in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-14, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Playing without ace hitter and team captain Raymark Woo for the fourth time this season, La Salle pulled big numbers from their younger players, with sophomore Geraint Bacon tallying a game-high 11 points and middle blocker John David Delos Reyes adding eight.
In his final UAAP match, La Salle playmaker and National Team pool standout Geuel Asia tossed 21 excellent sets and contributed three points.
UE, who also played without injured skipper and top scorer Edward Camposano, limped into the match having lost six straight. The Red Warriors had no players score in double-digits, as their offense was severely hampered by La Salle’s serving and net defense.
The Green Spikers scored 13 combined points off aces and blocks, while UE had just two.
“Motivated talaga ang mga bata na tapusin ‘yung season na panalo kami,” said Pamila, who took over for his former player Ron Dulay during the off-season. “Kahit na sabihin mong hindi namin naabot ‘yunt goal namin, iba pa rin kapag panalo ang panapos sa season.”
Pamiler is optimistic about La Salle’s Season 80 campaign, where he hopes to have a complete and healthy lineup.
“Marami ngang nangyare before and during season namin ngayon. Ang gusto namin next year kumpleto talaga ‘yung team kasi kaya naman kung nandiyan lahat. Nakukuha naman na nila ‘yung sistema ko,” Pamilar cited.
The Red Warriors ended their Season with a 1-13 record, an improvement from their 0-14 finishes in the past two seasons.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Bacon 11, Delos Reyes 8, Onia 7, Dumago 6, Jose 6, Dimayuga 4, Asia G. 3, Asia R. 3, Maravilla 3, Macaspac (L), Movido (L)
UE (0) – Aljas 6, Inoferio 6, Alba 5, Adriano 2, Lelic 2, Al Bandar 1, Magadong 1, Ortega 1, Imperial 0, Ernacio (L)
