Green Spikers finish UAAP S86 with Final Four appearance after yielding to NU
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers (11–3) yielded to the National University (NU) Bulldogs (11–3) after four sets, 23–25, 25–22, 22–25, 21–25, ending their UAAP S86 campaign with a Final Four appearance earlier today at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
It was JM Ronquillo doing it all for the Green Spikers collecting 27 points with the help of Vince Maglinao tallying 17 markers. However, Joshua Retamar was hailed as the Player of the Game, contributing five blocks and 21 excellent sets while Michaelo Buddin racked up 23 points giving the big dub to the Bulldogs.
The game started with Captain Ronquillo’s opening cross spike giving the Green Spikers the first point of the game. This gave La Salle the momentum, starting the set with a 3–0 run. However, the Bulldogs would retaliate through aggressive offensive prowess with the help of Buddin and Angelo Almendras making it a 6–0 run and taking the lead by three points, forcing the Green Spikers to call a timeout, 7–10. With the help of Retamar’s excellent setting and aid in finding openings for his teammates, the Bulldogs maintained a three-point gap, 10–13. Despite the Bulldog’s current momentum, the Green Spikers refused to yield as Ronquillo kept the team alive, creating all possible openings to increase more points with six attacks, 14–17. Moments later, Billie Anima’s blocking helped increase the Green Spiker’s momentum, narrowing the lead down to two, 16–18. Finally, the Green Spikers were able to tie the game, 19-all after a Ronquillo block, leading the Bulldogs to call a timeout. After the timeout, both teams had a back-and-forth battle with neither of them yielding against each other, keeping it a continuous deadlock, 21-all. In the final minutes of the first set, it was Vince Maglinao hitting a strong spike that cut the lead down to two before a back-and-forth showdown occurred. Unfortunately, the challenged net touch against NU failed to give the Green Spikers the first set, 23–25.
As the second set began, it was Jimuel Gapulos who created the first point for NU but was retaliated by Maglinao’s supercross. Afterward, Anima’s block and a JM Ronquillo attack extended the Green Spiker’s lead to 3–1. La Salle continued to hold momentum as Noel Kampton hit a mega spike against the blockers, 7–5. Moments later, Leo Aringo’s firing prowess awakened the Bulldogs, tying the game at 10–all, and making it a back-and-forth match yet again between the two squads. Moving forward, an Anima spike helped the Green Spikers retake the lead before the Bulldogs retaliated to equalize at 14-all. Finally, Ronquillo was able to give the Green Spikers a three-point lead with a quick spike, 17–20. Throughout the set, Menard Guerrero showcased his excellent digging, which together with Eco Adajar’s nonchalant left dump brought the score to 22–20. In the final moments of the set, Kampton contributed another cross spike which gave the Green Spikers the set point. An NU service error soon handed the set to La Salle, 25–22, evening the match to one-set a piece.
Going into the third set, it was Ronquillo yet again who gave the Green Spikers a two-point lead against the Bulldogs, 2–0. However, the NU responded with impressive coordination and team play, sparking another back-and-forth match against the Green Spikers, leading to deadlocks throughout the following minutes of the game. After an intense exchange of offensive prowess between both teams, Anima’s block finally gave the advantage to the Green Spikers, forcing NU to call a timeout. Anima added yet again another block, followed by Maglinao’s service ace to give La Salle a two-point lead, 17–15. Moving forward, Jade Disquitado reclaimed the lead for the Bulldogs with a cross spike, 20–22. This lead would continue as Disquitado’s mega cross gave NU a set point before a Maglinao attack error concluded the set at 22–25.
In the fourth set, Taguibulos opened the first point for NU with a quick spike but was retaliated by Ronquillo’s attack, tying the game once again. Captain Ronquillo’s unwavering heart and determination shone through his attacks served as a major motivation for the Green Spikers to continuously give their all to win. After another deadlock at 6-all following a challenged net touch, Maglinao’s service ace and a Ronquillo attack reclaimed the lead back for Taft, 9–7. Ronquillo further racked up points through quick spikes but attacks from Disquitado and Aringo forced deadlocks throughout the set. The set also witnessed the Ronquillo-Kampton duo duel with NU’s Disquitado and Buddin through a flurry of attacks, creating another deadlock at 14-all. In the following minutes, NU would extend the lead after a Disquitado cross but Kampton stayed determined to keep La Salle alive with another attack, 18–20. However, the Bulldogs’ dominant run continued as they created open chances and executed quick attacks to extend the lead to four, and eventually getting to match point, 20–24. The final play ended with Disquitado making a left dump, 21–25. This result gave the Bulldogs their 9th Final appearance in a row, while also ending the Green Spikers’ journey in the UAAP Season 86.
Set scores: 23–25, 25–22, 22–25, 21–25
Box scores:
DLSU 1— Ronquillo 27, Maglinao 17, Anima 12, Kampton 12, Del Pilar 3, Adajar 2, Mendoza 0, Layug 0, Poquita 0, Gloria 0, De Jesus 0, Ventura 0, Guerrero (L) 0, De Castro (L) 0
NU 3— Buddin 23, Almendras 14, Aringo Jr. 11, Disquitado 8, Taguibolos 7, Retamar 5, Diao 5, Ancheta 0, Abanilla 0, Mukaba 0, Belosrtino 0, Bandola 0, Sumagui (L) 0, Gapultos (L) 0
