Green Spikers outlast PAF in five-set thriller
The EcoOil-De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers (4–0) outlasted the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Airmen (1–3) in a five-set thriller, 37-35, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12, earlier this afternoon at the Paco Arena.
Team captain JM Ronquillo was crowned Player of the Game after scoring 27 points. He was backed up by his fellow wing spiker Noel Kampton and middle blocker Nathaniel Del Pilar who contributed 23 and 21 points respectively.
The match began with a head start for the Green Spikers as Nathaniel Del Pilar’s blocks and quick attacks gave them a 4-0 advantage. The Philippine Air Force wouldn’t go quietly into the night however as they were able to bring the set into a stalemate, before Jules De Jesus' attack error allowed the Airmen to take the lead, 4-5. Attacks by Noel Kampton would leverage the Green Spikers' lead to three, to which back-and-forth exchanges kept it at that, 18-15. In what was thought to be the closing moments of the set, Alnakran Abdilla ended a long rally that brought the match to an extended first set, 25-all. After what felt like an eternity, heroics from Kampton, JM Ronquillo, and a newly subbed in Yoyong Mendoza allowed the Taft-based squad to claim a gritty, hard fought first set, 37-35.
In the second set, neither team would leave the other behind as another tug of war battle saw them exchanging points up until 7-all. A backwards dump by Diogenes Poquita swung momentum La Salle’s way as it initiated a run that allowed them to pull ahead, 13-10. Errors on the Green Spikers' side however, allowed the Airmen to catch up right before the second break, 16-14. Multiple block points by Del Pilar gave La Salle the advantage heading into the closing moments of the set, but relentless attacks by the Philippine Air Force equalized the set at 23-all. Another kill and a block by Edwin Tolentino on Ronquillo ended La Salle’s hopes of a sweep, 23-25.
Looking to avenge their loss in the last set, contributions from every player on the floor resulted in an early 4-1 lead for the Green Spikers in the third set. Attacks from De Jesus along with unforced errors from the Airmen gave La Salle their biggest lead yet, 8-3. After the timeout, the Philippine Air Force were able to find holes in the Green Spikers' defense as they inched within two points closer, 9-7. Coming out of the second TTO, Abdilla continued his onslaught of attacks however his teammates' mistakes prevented them from taking the lead, 17-15. The Taft-based Squad then proceeded to score four straight, capped off by Eugene Gloria’s service ace that forced PAF to call timeout. From that point onwards, it was straight dominance as La Salle’s net defense allowed only three more points, ending the set, 25-18.
It was yet another dominant start for the Green Spikers in the fourth set as they jumped to another 3-0 lead, however the Airmen proved their grit as they would outlast La Salle in long rallies, allowing them to catch up, 8-7. Much like the first two sets, a back-and-forth display of skill was displayed resulting in multiple deadlocks before Mendoza’s spike and service ace broke the deadlock at 16-14. After multiple exchanges, crucial errors on the side of the Green and White allowed PAF to finally pull ahead right before a cross-court hit ended the set, 21-25.
In a deciding fifth set, it was the Airmen who took early control this time around as their unguarded attacks allowed them to gain a 3-6 advantage. Just when things seemed dark, Kampton rose up to the occasion, bringing his team back within reach thanks to multiple cross-court kills, equalizing the set at 10 points apiece. Kapitan Ronquillo would then begin to heat up, bringing the boys in Green to match point before Gloria’s monster spike sealed the hard fought victory for the Green Spikers, 15-12.
The Green Spikers aim to extend their winning streak against the Cabuyao Cabstars on Friday, November 24, 1 PM, at the same venue.
Set Scores: 37-35, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12
Box Scores:
DLSU 3 — Ronquillo 29, Kampton 23, Del Pilar 21, Rodriguez 8, De Jesus 4, Mendoza 4, Hernandez 1, Gurrero (L) 0, Javier (L) 0
PAF 2 — Abdilla 47, Tolentino 13, Labrador 11, Ramones 4, Calasin 3, Inaudito 2, Lopez 2, Nunez (L) 0, Maclang (L) 0
