University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers swept De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-15, 25-18, and 25-23, in Game 1 of the Spiker’s Turf 2nd Collegiate Conference Battle for 3rd Place Wednesday morning at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Manuel Medina topscored for the España-based spikers and led all scorers with 16 points off 13 attacks. Teammate Jomaru Amagan supplied 11 markers. Setter Timothy Tajanlangit had 25 out of 58 excellent sets in the victory.
UST clearly dominated the first two sets, 25-15 and 25-18, through their quick attacks and solid net defense. But they slowed down in the third frame, which allowed La Salle to tie it at 20-all from a 16-14 deficit.
The Green Spikers had chances to snatch the set from the said deadlock, but errors proved costly for their side. The Thomasians then capitalized, outscoring their counterparts 5-3 to finish the match in their favor, 25-23.
Tiger Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon believes that his team was able to expose La Salle’s weakness in setting up attacks on offense.
“Kasi wala sila masyadong combination plays. They rely on their wing attackers so medyo na-neutralize namin yun,” said Mamon.
UST is coming off a back-to-back semifinal loss against Finals contender NU Bulldogs prior to this match. When asked if there were adjustments made after bowing down in the semis, Mamon said that they just utilized their strengths in earning today’s win.
“We just played to our strengths,” he stated. “Pag nakaka-receive ng maganda, sinisigurado namin na maco-convert into points.”
Nobody from the Green Spikers’ side scored in double figures in today’s lopsided loss. Raymark Woo and Cris Dumago led La Salle with 8 points apiece.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series will be on Saturday, September 10.
The Scores:
UST (3) – Medina 16, Amagan 11, Bautista 6, Carodan 6, Sumagaysay 5, Tajanlangit 4, Umandal 2, Jose 1, Francisco 0, Sawal (L).
DLSU (0) – Woo 8, Dumago 8, Del Pilar 7, Onia 5, Frey 5, Asia 1, Jose 0, Movido (L), Asia (L).
