Green Spikers cruise past UP, improve to 5–1 record
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers wasted no time in securing a convincing sweep, 25–23, 25–13, 25–22, over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. La Salle reclaimed joint-first place in Season 86 after improving to a 5–1 record while State U was left still seeking their first triumph of the year at 0–5.
Both DLSU and UP opened the match on equal footing, with quick scoring spread evenly for both offenses. Vince Maglinao and company began to pull ahead by the double-digit mark with their floor defense proving to be superior in the early stages. The Fighting Maroons fought back with Jessie Rubin at the forefront of their attack, however, La Salle’s steady blocking led by Billie Anima negated several UP scoring opportunities. Combination plays were the weapon of choice for Eco Adajar and his playmaking gave room for Maglinao, Noel Kampton, JM Ronquillo, and Nathaniel del Pilar to shine. Angelo Lipata sparked a late 6–2 run for the Fighting Maroons and reduced DLSU’s advantage to a single point, but it was not enough to prevent the Green Spikers from bringing home the first set, 25–23.
An ace by Adajar, middle quicks from both Del Pilar and Ronquillo, and two kill blocks from Kampton kicked off the second set with a swift 5–1 start for La Salle. DLSU’s combination of powerful kill spikes and off-speed hits constantly found open spots on UP’s side of the floor en route to a dominant 11-point lead by the 19–8 mark. Clarence Santiago’s setting created multiple chances for the Maroons’ heavy hitters in Lipata and Angelo Lagando, however, they struggled heavily against the net defense shown by La Salle especially when the pair of Anima and Kampton were upfront. Anima’s service ace wrapped up a completely one-sided second period 25–13, putting DLSU only 25 points away from the victory.
UP picked up first blood in Set 3, but it didn’t take long for La Salle to recover their sizable advantage with the same attacking threats in Kampton, Ronquillo, and Maglinao now joined by Eric Layug off the bench. Rubin bounced back from a quiet second period and reignited the Fighting Maroons’ offense as his efforts kept DLSU’s lead within arm’s reach through the middle part of the frame. Lagando and Daniel Nicolas’ attacks reduced UP’s deficit to just one on multiple occasions, but the Green Spikers’ net defense was always the single obstacle State U was unable to overcome in their pursuit of an equalizer. La Salle successfully prevented all hopes of a late comeback from materializing and picked up a 25–22 final set for a clean sweep in their fifth triumph of the season.
The Green Spikers will look to add to this win streak on Saturday, March 16, 10 AM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum as they face the NU Bulldogs.
Set scores: 25–23, 25–13, 25–22
Box scores:
DLSU 3 — Maglinao 14, Kampton 13, Ronquillo 12, Del Pilar 11, Anima 5, Adajar 3, Mendoza 2, Layug 2, De Jesus 1, Ventura 1, Poquita 0, Gloria 0, Guerrero (L) 0, De Castro (L) 0
UP 0 — Rubin 8, Lagando 7, Lipata 7, Gamban 6, Nicolas 6, Chavez 3, Santiago 3, Bersano 0, Malabanan 1, Samaniego 0, Velasquez 0, Laureta 0, Eusebio (L) 0, Juntilla (L) 0
