Green Spikers hand #2 spot to FEU
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers bowed to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in four sets, 21–25, 16–25, 25–21, 21–25, yesterday, at the PhilSports Arena.
La Salle gained the first point from a Carl Cabatac error, but Herald Domingo quickly responded with a running attack, to which Nathaniel Del Pilar answer with one of his own, 2–1. Cabatac immediately redeemed himself earning a point for FEU and a Mark Calado back-row attack closed the gap, 5–4. Maglinao hit another kill, but Calado then scored to equalize at six-all. A Billie Jean Anima quick tied it at nine-all but Martin Bugaoan soon turned the tables, starting a scoring spree for FEU, 9–13. Kampton finally scored to end the drought but a miscommunication amongst the Green Spikers gave the advantage back to the Morayta Team, 10–14. Retaliating to Serrano and Del Pilar’s quick attack, Calado delivered an open spike, taking FEU to the second TTO ahead by five. Continuous attacks from the Tamaraws made it hard for the Green Spikers to score points, 15–20. Working to close the gap, Kampton and Del Pilar delivered through-the-block attacks but momentum was shifted again when Anima served to the net, 17–21. La Salle then went on a 3–0 run, with the help of Cabatac spiking directly to the net, 20–21. Unltimately, the end of the 1st saw the Green Spikers committing unforced errors, with a Del Pilar not-over attack, 21–25.
Courtesy of Calado’s hit-then-miss, the 2nd set opened with an immediate 1–1. Both teams then took turns to score and met at a 4-all. Even in their own service error, FEU was quick to make up for their mistake. It was a close-knit game as neither team did not let up to the other, scoring a tie at six-all. Consecutive errors by the Tamaraws, helped the Green Spikers take the lead by one point. After the first TTO, both teams become more aggressive on their gameplay and scoring one after the other. An error from Ronquillo upped FEU, but compensated by penetrating the Tamaraw’s defenses. A service ace from Anima propelled La Salle to catch up and even at 13–all. Several deadlocks occurred before the Tamaraws broke through DLSU’s blocks, 15–18. Domingo stopped action for La Salle, as he unlatched a scoring spree to give FEU a five-point lead, 16–21. The Green Spikers’ at this point were starting to show emotions, leading to committing errors. One last hit too wide from the Green Spikers gave FEU the second set, 16–25.
The third set opened with a long rally right off the bat with both teams hammering for each point. DLSU took the first point but the Tamaraws swiftly took over and DLSU stepped up to match the opponent’s aggressiveness.. A joust at the net gave FEU followed by a service error from DLSU trimmed the lead down to four, 7–3. From here, the Green Spikers’ attacks became more calculated and steady, bringing them to their biggest lead of six points, with an Anima attack adding after a Serrano drop. With stronger defense strategies such as their triple block, DLSU maintained the lead, 14–9. An off-the-block attack from Calado, followed by Saavedra’s hard strike, closed the gap to three. This streak was loosened by Del Pilar and supported by his team’s strong attacks, which made FEU struggle with their defenses. Maglinao then took this opportunity, using the opponent’s blocks to their advantage, scoring 19–14. The Green Spikers showed good energy, most especially Anima when he hit a clean strike. Frustrated, the Morayta Team delivered outside balls and a service error, scoring 22–17. For a moment, DLSU had difficulty defending but they caught their stance. A Kampton attack propelled La Salle to match point, then Del Pillar finished it off, taking their first and only winning set of the game, 25–21.
On the 4th set, the Green Spikers showed a more relaxed but steady stance compared to their stiff play during the first few sets, wherein better communication, and more fluid teamwork could be observed. But the Tamaraws did just as well to match up DLSU’s strategy in speed. The score was tied at four-all before the two teams took turns in scoring, ending in another deadlock at six-all. With the Tamaraws’ aggressiveness to bag the game, Calado kept adding numbers for his team with only a few points up at 9–12. Ronquillo did not let up as his attacks closed the gap at 11–12. An outside hit by Benny Martinez and a service error from FEU tied the score at 17-all. FEU did not let up and maintained a one-point advantage but Maglinao was determined to equalize. At the set’s 13-apiece deadlock, both teams were tied at twenty. Eager to finish the match, FEU scored two consecutive points, but DLSU caught up by one at 21–22. The Tamaraws were then able to score off two consecutive attacks, and then an outside Ronquillo attack ended the match at 21–25.
The Green Spikers (3–2) will aim to bounce back against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons (0–4) on March 19, 9AM at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Box Scores:
DLSU 83 — Ronquillo 15, Kampton 13, Maglinao 12, Anima 10, Del Pilar 7, Serrano 3, Espejo 0, De Jesus 0
FEU 100 — Calado 27, Bugaoan 12, Domingo 9, Cabatac 7, Talisayan 6, Codilla 3, Saavedra 3, Javelona 1, Sabanal 1, Martinez 1, Cacao — 0
Set Scores: 21–25, 16–25, 25–21, 21–25
