Green Spikers conquer Ateneo
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers (10–3) conquered the Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo) Blue Eagles (6–7) in an outstanding four-set match, 25–21, 23–25, 26–24, and 25–19, earlier today at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. With this victory, the Green Spikers extended their win-loss record to 10–3, and are closer to securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the Semifinals.
Vince Maglinao was hailed as the Player of the Game as he contributed 19 points from 17 attacks and two blocks with a 40% attacking efficiency in the match. Captain JM Ronquillo and Noel Kampton both chipped in 15 points to La Salle’s victory.
The game started with the Blue Eagles taking advantage as the attacking prowess of Jian Salarzon and Cyrus De Guzman started to put pressure on the Green Spikers. Both men were able to display and showcase why they are at the forefront of Ateneo’s main offense, but the Green Spikers countered this as team captain Ronquillo made it rain with numerous crosses and straight spikes to cut the lead. Going through the set, Nathaniel Del Pilar managed to tie the game by hitting the quick, 15-all, before Jetlee Gopio retaliated with a block giving back the lead to Ateneo again, 15–16. From there, the match shifted into a back-and-forth scoring game which ignited the fans as both teams matched each other’s intensity. But it was Del Pilar who extended La Salle’s lead with a service ace and a quick, 20–18. La Salle managed to take advantage of Del Pilar’s points by gaining the upper hand for the rest of the first set thanks to Kampton and Billie Anima’s crucial play and Salarzon’s service error giving the Green Spikers the first set, 25–21.
Moving on to the second set, the Blue Eagles aimed to regain momentum as De Guzman scored the first point for Ateneo. However, the match continued to be a back-and-forth showcase of offensive prowess as both teams intensified their defense and offense against each other. Multiple attack and service errors were made by both teams, making the first few minutes of the set slow-paced compared to the first set. It was the trio of Maglinao, Kampton, and Ronquillo who served as the main offense for the Green Spikers and kept the Blue Eagles on guard throughout these first few minutes of the set. However, Salarzon yet again stepped up for the Blue Eagles as he delivered a cross spike, granting Ateneo a two-point advantage, 10–12. Gopio then scored back-to-back points through a straight cross and a massive block extending the Blue Eagles’ lead to four. Then, Kampton rallied a comeback for the Green Spikers with a barrage of crosses before Del Pilar yet again tied the game 15-all. For a while, the game became a back-and-forth squabble yet again as both teams displayed good team coordination. But a Gopio attack and Salarzon cross-court hit gave Ateneo the second set, 23–25.
Coming into the third set, the Blue Eagles took over the first few minutes of the game as De Guzman hit three quicks in a row and Batas’ powerful cross spike placed the score at 1–4. Throughout the first few minutes of the third set, Ateno made sure to keep the lead to three with multiple attack attempts and solid defensive stops against the Green Spikers. Captain Ronquillo yet again displayed his best offensive crosses to cut the lead to just two, 11–13. Moving forward, it was Billie Anima who tied the game with a quick, 16-all. From here on point, it was an all-out battle between the two rivals, each one hungry to get the dub. In the following sequences, Maglinao and Del Pilar helped the Green Spikers get points, while Salarzon and De Guzman aided the Blue Eagles’ offense. The final minutes of the third set gave the audience a thrill as the set was extended, with both teams getting to set point. In the end, it was Kampton serving a signature cross and Pacino’s attack error, 26–24, that gave La Salle the set.
In the fourth set, the Green Spikers aimed to finish off their rivals, as Maglinao and Ronquillo both shined with a barrage of spike attempts. Following this, the Green Spikers controlled the pace of the game, establishing a lead and keeping Ateneo in check with a steady defense. It was Kampton who extended La Salle’s lead to four, then a Pacino attack error gave the biggest lead of the game, 20–15. From there, Ronquillo and Kampton continued to widen the Green Spikers’ separation with powerful attacks. The Green Spikers continued to remain in control in the last few minutes of the match, before a Ronquillo service ace closed out the match, 25–19, and a Green and White 3–1 set victory.
Catch the Green Spikers aim for another dub against the UST Golden Spikers, on Saturday, April 27, 6 PM at the same venue.
Set scores: 25–21, 23–25, 26–24, 25–19
Box scores:
DLSU 3— Maglinao 19, Kampton 15, Ronquillo 15, Del Pilar 12, Anima 8, Mendoza 1, Adajar 0, Layug 0, Poquita 0, Gloria 0, Ventura 0, De Jesus 0, Guerrero (L) 0, De Castro (L) 0.
ADMU 1— Salarzon 23, De Guzman 14, Batas 8, Pacino 6, Gopio 5, Mangulabnan 2, Licauco 1, De Castro (L) 1, Okeke 0, Gutierrez 0, Daculan 0, Almadro 0, Sendon 0, Crisostomo (L) 0.
