The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons fed off the perpetually slumping University of the East Red Warriors’ sloppy play to streak to their second win of the season, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16 in the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Aside from a balanced offense that three spikers score in double-digits, the Maroons also got a boost from UE’s whooping 39 unforced errors.
However, the Diliman-based spikers are still working on a few kinks like complacency, which cost them the third set of the match.
“Noong first three points pa lang ng set kita mo na ‘yung lack of energy. Parang hindi kami nananalo noong previous set,” said UP skipper Wendel Miguel who provided 14 points off 10 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
“Masyado kaming naging complacent siguro and may dumagdag din na pressure sa amin na tapusin na ‘yung laban. Mahirap din kasi kapag may pampito ka pang kalaban – anim na nga ‘yung nasa kabilang side ng net, lalabanan mo pa ‘yung pressure,” he added.
Using the third set a wake-up call, the Maroons ended the match in a blaze, taking a 17-10 advantage in the fourth frame off solid serving and blocking. The Maroons finished the match with nine aces, seven more than the Warriors.
Veteran open hitter Alfred Valbuena and middle blocker Gian San Pascual each tallied 15 points for the Maroons who opened the season with two straight wins, the best start in the program’s recent history.
“We’re happy na we get a good start like this pero hindi pa tapos ‘yung paghihirap. Lahat nang next naming kalaban malakas so we’re going to need to work pa sa training,” closed Miguel.
UP will take on the De La Salle University Green Spikers (0-1) on Wednesday, 10 am at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Warriors, who slid to their 30th straight loss, got 21 points from spiking dynamo Edward Camposano while Geric Ortega added 12.
UE (0-2) will try to end their streak also on Wednesday when they face the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers (0-1).
The Scores
UP (3) – San Pascual 15, Valbuena 15, Miguel 14, Millete 9, Baldelovar 3, Castillo 2, Acuna 1, Consuelo 0, Gohoc 0, San Pedro 0, Luna (L), Nasol (L)
UE (1) – Camposano 21, Ortega 12, Alba 8, Aljas 2, Imperial 2, Lelic 2, Inoferio 0, Adriano 0, Magdaong 0, Ernacio (L)
