The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers narrowly survived the gritty University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Spikers, thanks to Raymark Woo’s career high 33 points, 20-25, 25-12, 22-25, 15-11, Wednesday morning at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Tigers quickly took the lead to open the match. Despite numerous attempts by the Green Spikers to take the lead, UST had just enough in them to fend La Salle off.
La Salle turned up their attacks in the second set. A quick 6-0 run led by Arjay Onia served as the backbreaker for UST’s chances at claiming the set. Unable to string together consecutive points, UST eventually succumbed to La Salle’s onslaught.
La Salle attempted to replicate their second set victory, but repeated service errors allowed UST to keep pace in the start of the set. After a Woo backrow kill, Jason Sarabia scored on a powerful quick hit, and Manuel Medina notched back-to-back kills to put UST ahead, 6-3. Woo practically single-handedly brought La Salle back into the game, scoring three out of La Salles next five points to give La Salle the lead, 8-7. The Tigers were quick to counterattack, though, scoring five of the next six points in the set to take a 12-9 lead, forcing a La Salle timeout.
The timeout seemed to work as they were able to trim the deficit to one, 15-14. However, UST took control late in the set, with Kris Roy Guzman providing the offensive punch, and the Tigers’ defenders scoring consecutive block kills on Woo.
The Green Spikers took advantage of a porous UST defense early on. After a Woo kill, Geuel Asia served up an ace which was followed by Jose and Woo scoring on blocks for an early 12-7 La Salle lead.
Guzman attempted to reignite the UST offense, scoring on back-to-back attacks, but the closest the Tigers got was within two points of the Green Spikers. With a 24-22 lead, Woo ended the set with a kill, forcing a fifth set.
Woo was brilliant in the fifth set, scoring the first point with a block, his 28th of the game. He paced himself early on, scoring on a cross court hit for a 3-1 La Salle lead, and every time UST attempted a comeback, Woo would come to the rescue, scoring crucial points for the Green Spikers. Holding a 13-11 lead, Woo scored the final two points of the match for La Salle’s third straight win.
La Salle head coach, Ron Dulay shared the team’s motivation this season, saying that his players want to help La Salle win the general championship.
“Gusto talaga nila lumaban. Ang goal nila dito is makatulong sa general championships. Alam natin na nagdidikitan yung UST at La Salle. Yun yung naging motivation nila, para makatulong sa school.”
Aside from Woo’s 33, the other La Salle player who scored in double digits is Onia, who chipped in 13 points. UST, on the other hand, had three players in double-digits. Arnold Bautista, Medina, and Sarabia scored 14, 12, and 10 points respectively.
With the win, La Salle ties UST’s record with a 4-6 record, keeping them alive in the bid for a slot in the Final Four.
La Salle puts their game winning streak on the line when they go against the Adamson Falcons on Saturday, March 19, 8am at the Philsports Arena. UST, on the other hand, gets a chance to bounce back when they play the defending champions, Ateneo on the same day at 10am.
The scores:
DLSU (3) – Woo 33, Onia 13, Dimayuga 9, Asia 8, Jose 5, Calasin 4, Bacon 2, Frey 2,Dumago 0, Asia L, Movido L.
UST (2) – Bautista 14, Medina 12, Sarabia 10, Guzman 9, Carodan 7, Balse 7, Tajanlangit 4, Amagan 3, Sumagaysay 2, Castillo 0, Arbasto 0, Francisco L, Pangan L.
