UAAP Season 84 Team Preview: DLSU Green Spikers — Beach Volleyball
by: William dela Rosa and Jasmine Tan
After a two-year stoppage of the UAAP due to nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers are deemed ready for sand live-action in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Beach Volleyball.
In Season 82, the trio of Jules de Jesus, Ian Kym Jumandos, and Vince Gerard Maglinao finished 6th with a 2–5 record. Determined to best their previous performance, the Green Spikers will have to maximize the service of holdover Maglinao and rookies Noel Kampton and Andre Espejo.
Known as one of the top high school standouts, Kampton is no stranger to top-tier action. In his stint with the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD), the 6’2 spiker helped the Perps bag three NCAA Juniors Indoor Volleyball Championships, one NCAA Juniors Beach Volleyball Championship, and was also awarded the NCAA Season 93 Best Outside Spiker and Season 84 Finals Most Valuable Player titles. Furthermore, Kampton was also chosen to represent the Philippines in the 9th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Schools Games that was held in Singapore last 2017.
On the other hand, Espejo will be capitalizing on his previous experience in the sands.
As the lone holdover in the team, Maglinao emphasized his desire to redeem themselves this S84, “gusto namin na parang mapatunayan na hindi lang kumbaga from 6th place. Gusto namin umangat nang umangat para gumanda yung tingin sa amin, kasi ayaw namin na parang nandoon lang na for participation. Gusto namin na one of the contenders talaga when it comes to beach volleyball.”
Now a veteran, Maglinao is optimistic and confident to finish with a better standing. “We are looking for a podium finish. Makapasok sa Top Four kasi compared sa last season namin where we finished 6th, siguro mas nagkaroon kami ng time mag prepare ngayon. Nagkaroon ng bubble training na kahit one month (lang), malaking bagay na iyon. Compared before na sobra talagang limited ng preparation.”
From lacking in both offense and defense, Maglinao is assured to improve them in their upcoming leagues, which the two high school standout players apace with him are foreseen to contribute as well. “Kung may gusto kaming marating, kung may gusto kaming mapatunayan, kailangan naming mag sakripisyo”, Maglinao added.
Come and support the DLSU Green Spikers as they open their UAAP Season 84 today against the National University (NU) Bulldogs at 10 AM and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at 4 PM. The games will be played at SM by the Bay.
