Green Spikers sweep AdU, clinch a spot in the Final Four
“One game at a time muna kami.” – Captain JM Ronquillo
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers (9–3) clinched a spot in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Final Four after defeating the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons (4–8) in a stunning straight-set win, 26–24, 25–17, 25–23, earlier today at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Captain JM Ronquillo was crowned the Player of the Game (POG) after scoring 16 points with 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace that aided the team’s victory.
Vince Maglinao opened up the match by ending a short rally with a down-the-line attack through the Adamson block which was followed by the Spikers’ first block point against Jude Aguilar’s attack, 2–0. Then, Noel Kampton scored back-to-back points for the Green and White after a cross-court attack from a combination play, 8–9. Unfortunately, DLSU struggled with defense in the back row but managed to catch up to the points with a strong offense. Francis Casas attacked the block which garnered him a point from a check-ball, 14–16. The slow-paced advances in the points and inability to supersede Adamson caused DLSU Head Coach Jose Roque to call for a timeout. Then, the Billie Anima-Ronquillo towers denied entry for the Adamson attack, before a Ronquillo through the block tied the set at 22-all. Following this, a foot-fault violation from John Gay gave a one-point advantage to DLSU. Maglinao then attempted an attack but was denied by Mark Coguimbal, placing the score at a deuce again, 24-all. But Maglinao scoring through the block placed La Salle at set point. Finally, an attack error from AdU capped off the first set at 26–24 in favor of La Salle.
The second set began in favor of Adamson after Joel Menor attacked with a cross-court ball through the block, 0–1. Nathaniel Del Pilar quickly answered with a cunning drop ball that tied the score. Mark Coguimbal then scored back-to-back points for the Falcons, 4–8. Ronquillo attacked down the line and scored, ending Adamson’s 3–0 run. It was the attack points from both DLSU and AdU’s unforced errors that put La Salle at a two-point advantage, 15–13. From there, DLSU slowly got its groove back and worked as a more coordinated unit. Multiple substitutions of players occurred on the Adamson side, being unable to find the right mix of players to match the Green Spikers' agility. A Del Pilar-Adajar block tandem denied a Falcon entry, 21–17. Multiple point-costing errors from Adamson pushed Coach George Pascua to call for a timeout. From there, Kampton scored with a cross-court attack, 24–17, granting the Green and White set point. A double-contact violation from the Soaring Falcons soon ended the set at 25–17, in favor of DLSU, once again.
Menor opened the third set with a drop ball attack which Ronquillo was quick to answer with a joust against the blockers, 1-all. Del-Pilar, Ronquillo, and Kampton scored consecutive points for the Green Spikers, establishing a comfortable four-point lead, 13–9. For a while, Adamson struggled to get past La Salle’s tough defenses. Maglinao’s cross-court attack followed by a Poquita no-look drop ball attack then placed the score at 17–12. DLSU managed to keep the unforced errors to a minimum and maximize on improving defense. Meanwhile, the Falcons visibly struggled to get an attack through the Taft block which was always met with a quick back-row defense. Fresh off the bench, Jules De Jesus scored with an attack on the over-receive, 22–17. Unfortunately, the momentum was thrown after a Kampton service error, starting back-to-back attack errors from DLSU which allowed the Falcons to come close at 22–20. But De Jesus then scored back-to-back points to seal the set and close out the game at 25–23, without ever giving Adamson the chance to take the scoring lead.
The Green Spikers are set to go against arch-rivals, the Ateneo De Manila University (Ateneo) Blue Eagles, who are also vying for a spot in the Final Four on Sunday, April 21, 12 PM at the same venue.
Set Scores: 26–24, 25–17, 25–23
Box Scores:
DLSU 3 - Ronquillo 16, Kampton 12, Maglinao 11, Anima 3, De Jesus 3, Adajar 1, Poquita 1, Gloria 0, Ventura 0, De Castro (L) 0, Guerrero (L) 0
AdU 0 — Aguilar 9, Paulino 7, Coguimbal 6, Gay 6, Tahiluddin 6, Menor 5, Yboa 3, Bermudez 1, Gutierrez 1, Ballon 0, Canlas (L) 0
