Fresh from a loss against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, the De La Salle University Green Spikers needed more than two hours to get their sixth win at the expense of their archrivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, on Wednesday, April 2.
The Golden Spikers, Green Spikers, and Blue Eagles are currently tied in the standings with an identical 6-4 win-loss record, sharing the third to fifth spot. The top two standings are the Far Eastern University Tamaraws with a 9-1 win-loss record and the National University Bulldogs with an 8-2 record.
The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are sixth with a 3-7 record, followed by the Adamson University Soaring Falcons with a 2-8 record. Still at the bottom of the standings are the University of the East Red Warriors, who are still winless in 10 games.
Here’s everything you missed on April 2’s gameday of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
27
The De La Salle University Green Spikers needed 27 points in the fifth set to defeat their archrivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, on Wednesday, April 2. The final score was 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25.
Noel Kampton, who was celebrating his birthday, scored a game-high 27 points in 23 attacks, three service aces, and a block, while Vince Maglinao had 22 points. Glen Rui Ventura had 10 points in the three sets he played in.
For the Blue Eagles, Kennedy Batas scored a team-high 26 points, all in attacks, while Jian Salarzon had 20 points in 16 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces. Amil Pacinio contributed 18 points, while Jetlee Gopio added 10.
After the game, Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque said that the game was not about the skills of the players but their heart in winning the game. He said, “Actually, it’s not about the skills; it’s more on kung paano nila ilaban ‘yung sarili nila sa fifth set. Skills is evident, nandoon na sa kanila, e. Ang hinanap ko kanina, kung paano nila ilalaban ‘yung game na ito, [at] napakita nila ‘yun nung fifth set.”
The Green Spikers and the Blue Eagles are currently in a three-way tie with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in the third place in the standings with an identical 6-4 win-loss record.
The De La Salle University will face the still-winless University of the East Red Warriors on Saturday, April 5, at 11 am. Earlier that day, the Ateneo de Manila University will try to bounce back against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers at 9 am.
1:05
The University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers only needed an hour and five minutes to defeat the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18, on Wednesday, April 2.
Josh Ybañez led the team with 13 points, while Jan Julian Macam had 12 points. Jay Rack de la Noche recorded 11 points.
For the Soaring Falcons, Jude Aguilar and Ricardo Obeda both recorded four points, while their teammates had at least a point in the game.
After the game, Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon applauded his team for following the game plan, which led them to an easy victory. He said, “I think the team is responding well with the instructions… They followed the game plan, maganda ‘yung execution namin. Merong lapses, pero it’s part of the match pa rin, e.”
However, he lamented how his players sometimes play for fun, not realizing that they are already in the crucial stretch of the season. Mamon added, “I think all my emotions were being utilized dito. Hindi pa ganoon ka-seryoso ‘yung mga players minsan, e, they do not realize what’s important at this stage. Kailangan lang namin idiin pa kung ano ‘yung pangangailangan pa nila na adjustments.”
With the win, the Golden Spikers tied the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the De La Salle University Green Spikers in the standings with an identical 6-4 win-loss record. Meanwhile, the Soaring Falcons are still in seventh place with a 2-8 record.
The University of Santo Tomas will face the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 5, at 9 am. Meanwhile, Adamson University will take on the defending champions National University Bulldogs, on Sunday, April 6, at 11 am.
