Still without Season 78 Best Scorer Raymark Woo, the De La Salle University Green Spikers pulled off a crucial win to stay in the Final Four race, squeaking past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 17-15, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Since Woo went down two weeks ago, the Green Spikers have struggled offensively. Against FEU, La Salle showed composure and held on to slim leads in crucial moments. In the fifth set, the Tamaraws built a formidable lead before La Salle crawled back, forced a deuce, and took the match after crucial mistakes from the Tamaraws.
“Kapag nawalan ka ng player, siyempre hindi naman hihintayin ng liga na makabalik ‘yun para sa atin. Naghahanap talaga kami ng ibang mags-step up. Nagkakaroon nanaman na,” said La Salle head coach Nes Pamilar.
“Makikita mo naman kanina na tiniyaga nila ‘yung mga puntos at ‘yung panalo.”
Cagayan De Oro native Cris Dumago led four Green Spikers in double-digits with 16 points. Geriant Bacon and Arjay Onia each provided 14 markers.
DLSU (3-6) climb to sixth and plays the struggling Adamson University Falcons (2-6) on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
FEU veteran Greg Dolor’s season-high 22 points went for naught. The Tamaraws outperformed La Salle in every skill, but their late-game woes buoyed the Green Spikers to the win.
FEU (5-4) remain at third and takes on the National University Bulldogs also on Sunday.
The Scores
DLSU (3) – Dumago 16, Bacon 14, Onia 14, Jose 10, Delos Reyes 6, Del Pilar 4, Asia G. 2, Dimayuga 1, Asia R. 0, Movido (L)
FEU (2) – Dolor 22, Paler 14, Solis 13, Quiel 10, Bugaoan 8, Camcam 7, Garcia 1, Suarez 0, Villegas 0, Marmeto (L)
