Green Spikers force V-League Finals to a decisive match against FEU
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers (6–2) intensified their pursuit of the championship crown with a crucial victory against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws (6–2), 25–21, 25–19, 21–25, 25–20, in the V-League 2024 Finals Game 2 earlier today at the Philsports Arena.
To kick off the intense match, the defending champions secured the first point thanks to a powerful hit from Glen Rui Ventura on the opposite side. With the teams closely matched, Joshua Magalaman’s powerful spike finally propelled the Green Spikers ahead by one at 6–5 before Mikko Espartero eventually tied the game at 11-all. Doula Ndongala from the Tamaraws also stepped up, scoring back-to-back points to narrow the gap to two points at 18–16, while Menard Guerrero stole the spotlight with impressive defensive skills, keeping the ball in play as the Green Spikers reached the 20-point mark. In the dying parts of the set, Magalaman delivered a strong hit from the open side, finally giving the boys from Taft the set point, while Chris Emmanuel Hernandez closed out the first set with a powerful spike of his own, 25–21.
Ventura aimed to dominate the second set, initially launching a swift, powerful attack from the opposite side to bring the score to 3–2, while Zhydryx Saavedra made his presence known by narrowing the gap to just one point with a strong strike from the opposite side. Shortly afterwards, Hernandez delivered a series of impressive service aces for La Salle, extending the lead to four points at 8–4, before Eco Adajar’s creative set plays and combinations for the Spikers finally gave them a five-point advantage, 17–13. As the Tamaraws sought strategies to confuse the defense of the boys in green, a crucial block touch put the Spikers at set point, where Ventura sealed the deal with a powerful cross-court spike, 25–19.
Seeking to conclude the match early, Ventura initiated the action for Set 3 with a soft hit that confused the Tamaraws’ defense. Just like that, Lirick John Mendoza quickly launched an attack from the middle, narrowing the Tamaraws’ lead to just one point at 5–4. However, Magalaman responded with points of his own from the center to maintain La Salle’s lead at 8–6, before Michael John Fortuna then secured FEU’s first lead, 10–9, which was followed shortly by a powerful hit from Jelord Talisayan. As the Tamaraws built a four-point advantage, Noel Kampton made his debut in the game, determined to shift the momentum back to the Spikers by maneuvering past two blockers to make it 16–19. Once FEU reached the 20-point threshold, Ventura then stepped up from the opposite side, reducing the deficit to four, 18–22. Getting to the end, L.J. Mendoza then delivered a strong hit from the middle, sealing the set with a final score of 21–25, this time in favor of the Tamaraws.
In a tense effort to secure victory, Kampton sparked the scoring for La Salle in the fourth set with a powerful hit aimed at the back row of the opposing team for an early 3–0 run. Both teams exchanged points, with Saavedra contributing strong hits from the opposite side, but Kampton quickly responded with a fierce spike from the outside, maintaining a four-point lead at 12–8. The ever-reliable Hernandez created confusion in the Tamaraws’ defense with a surprise attack from the outside, bringing the score to 15–12. As the pressure mounted and determination surged, Ventura delivered a strong hit from the opposite side, followed by an attack error by FEU, which set the score to match point. A decisive block by Kampton and Magalaman eventually sealed the game with a final score of 25–20.
The DLSU Green Spikers are determined to continue their winning streak in their upcoming do-or-die match against the FEU Tamaraws in hopes of claiming the V-League 2024 title this Friday, October 4, at 5 PM, at the same venue.
Set Scores: 25–21, 25–19, 21–25, 25–20
