Green Spikers claim victory in V-League opener against Letran
In their opening match of the V-League 2024, the defending champions, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers (1–0), showcased their dominance by sweeping the Colegio De San Juan De Letran (CSJL) Knights (0–1) in straight sets, 25–19, 27–25, 28–26, earlier today at the Paco Arena.
Rui Ventura kicked things off for La Salle with a powerful hit from the opposite side, quickly met by Vince Himzon’s equally strong strike from the middle. Another Green Spiker in the name of Eugene Gloria also made his presence known with a skillful attack from the outside, going through two blockers and putting La Salle ahead at 2–1. Throughout the set, Eco Adajar expertly distributed precise sets, allowing Gloria to capitalize on a single block to extend their lead, 7–3, before Emmanuel Hernandez delivered a down-the-line hit to maintain the momentum, widening the gap to six points at 12–6. Hernandez continued to dominate with two consistent cross-court attacks from the outside, pushing the lead to 19–10. And with Menard Guerrero anchoring the floor defense, Adajar efficiently converted good passes into points before Gloria finished the first set with a block touch to secure a score of 25–19.
Letran scored the first four points of the second set before Gloria stopped the bleeding with a strong hit from the opposite side, making it 1–4. Ventura then attempted to regain momentum with a powerful attack from the outside, reducing the deficit to four points, 4–8. Eventually, errors by Letran gave La Salle free points, narrowing the gap to just one at 11–12, before an impressive no-look set by Diogenes Poquita allowed John Fortuna to tie the game at 14-all. Eric Layug also saved a set point with a crucial block during a series of close exchanges, bringing the score to 22–23. He then saved another point with a powerful hit from the middle, and Gloria’s soft touch finally tied the game at 24-all. With a Layug-Ventura tandem at the net for a block, the Green Spikers snatched the set point this time at 26–25 before Gloria once again sealed the second set with a powerful attack, 27–25.
Eager to finish the set early, Andre Espejo delivered a quick middle attack to secure the first point. However, Letran, determined to keep the game close, employed soft touches, combination attacks, and quick spikes, to force the game at a 13-all deadlock. Another swift middle attack by the Knights handed them the lead, 13–16, but a combination play executed by Fortuna managed to level the score again at 17-all. This was followed by a series of service errors that allowed La Salle to score free points, bringing the score to 22–20. Rookie Joshua Magalaman followed through with a middle attack to regain momentum for the Taft-based squad and a consistent block defense by the Green Spikers kept Letran from clinching the set, 24–23. Adajar’s powerful attack tied the game at 24-all before Magalaman then served an ace to give them the match point. But the Knights quickly responded to level the score at 25-all not until Hernandez delivered another strong attack, followed by an attack error from the opposition, to which La Salle secured its first victory of the tournament with a score of 28–26.
Box Scores:
DLSU — Hernandez 14, Gloria 9, Ventura 8, Magalaman 7, Layug 6, Fortuna 4, Adajar 2, Espejo 2, Poquita 0, Flores 0, De Castro (L) 1, Guerrero (L) 0
CSJL — Himzon 14, Sta. Maria 9, Abeto 7, Bermido 5, Barba 4, Bautista 4, Caballero 3, Lardizabal 3, Vicente 1, Arano 1, Sumagaysay 0, Catris (L) 0
Set Scores: 25–19, 27–25, 28–26
