On A Roll: Lady Spikers make quick work of Lady Falcons to boost Final Four bid

The De La Salle Univesity Lady Spikers had one thing in mind earlier today: DOMINATE.

And they did just that as the team swept the Adamson University Lady Falcons for their third consecutive win, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

DLSU, very much, has control of its own destiny, and the victory only solidified the team’s bid in booking a return trip to the semis now that it holds an 8-3 record.

Rookie Jolina Dela Cruz took the spotlight, leading La Salle with 13 points and 10 excellent digs. Team captain Desiree Cheng chipped 11 points, while Aduke Ogunsanya posted nine. Back-up libero Ferlyn Nomil also shone on the defensive end with 13 excellent digs.

The Lady Spikers were all about business in the first set as they went off to a blazing 16-5 start and they never looked back.

In the second set, the Taft squad once again jumped to an 8-3 advantage, but the spikers from San Marcelino got their acts together to tie the match at 14. La Salle countered with its own version of a run behind the heroics of Dela Cruz and Tin Tiamzon as they eventually captured the set.

DLSU established another early lead in the third set. Adamson then cut the deficit down to two, but the Green and White shrugged off ADU’s rally and ballooned back its lead to six, 19-13, to take the fight out of the Lady Falcons.

The Lady Spikers locked down Adamson’s offense as leading scorers Trisha Genesis and Bern Flora only dropped seven points each.

La Salle next faces arch-nemesis ADMU Lady Eagles on Saturday, April 13 at 4 pm.

Green Spikers bow down to defending champs NU Bulldogs in straight sets

The De La Salle University Green Spikers fell anew to defending champs National University Bulldogs in straights sets, 20-25, 21-25, 16-25, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.

National-U’s defense dominated in the first set as it created an early separation from La Salle, 13-8. JD Inocentes, then, provided spark off the bench to help the Green Spikers come to within three, but the Bulldogs kept the Taft squad at bay with Bryan Bagunas capping the first frame victory via an off-the-block hit.

DLSU had a better start in the second set, but it was still NU who raced to an 8-7 advantage heading into the first technical timeout. A string of errors from the Green side plus power hits from Bagunas and Angelo Almendras buried La Salle down by six, 12-18. The Green and White refused to let go as it rallied back to cut the deficit down to two in the latter moments of the set. The Bulldogs however spilled the hopes of the Green Spikers and sealed the two sets to none advantage.

The Jhocson-based crew looked to end La Salle in the third set. With another bunch of miscues, impenetrable defense, and booming hits, NU was on its way to victory in sweeping fashion. DLSU trailed by as much as eight, and eventually bowed down to the streaking National-U.

No Green Spiker barged into double digits in scoring with team captain Chris Dumago and JD Delos Reyes tallying only eight points apiece for La Salle. The team also dropped to a 4-7 record.

On the other hand, Bagunas erupted for 23 points in 21 attacks and two service aces, while Almendras and James Natividad added 11 and nine points respectively.

 

Green Batters clinch Baseball title behind Gesmundo’s clutch homer

Co-written by: Genrev Villamin
Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

BULLSEYE! The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters are UAAP champions once again after triumphing in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Season 81 Baseball Finals against the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 11-9, on Friday, April 5, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

A do-or-die match erstwhile taken control of by the Green-and-White suddenly became anybody’s game. La Salle finally came to their senses and broke their prolonged silence by sending Boo Barandiaran home. The Green Batters then leaned on an Anton Acuña two-run single that pushed their lead to 9-5 at the top of the eighth inning.

Ateneo stayed at the backseat in the first seven innings, but it only took a short span of sequences for them to stage their own comeback. A pop-fly by Gino Altomonte sent Macasaet home, leaving the Lasallian crowd stunned and causing a ruckus in the Atenean side, as the Blue Eagles knotted it at 9-all. After everything that had happened, the game was headed to an instant classic.

The Green Batters made sure to strike at least one in what could be their last shot at the scoreboard. Instead, they found themselves on a dangerous two outs after Barandiaran’s and team captain Iggy Escaño’s full swings landed straight to the Katipunan. Diego Lozano was the lone bright spot at the first base.

All anxious, prayers were being lifted by both sides as to what would happen in the next set of events. With all eyes on him and the pressure intensifying, Kiko Gesmundo reconfirmed to everybody why he was the reigning and defending UAAP MVP. He fired a miraculous two-run homer that delivered him and Lozano back home, causing a complete pandemonium all over the stadium, and most importantly, giving them the go-ahead 11-9 lead.

To start the game, the Green Batters wasted no time in putting themselves up on the scoreboard. With Paolo Salud, Lozano, and Gesmundo loading all of La Salle’s bases at the top of the first inning, Tuwi Park got a walk to send Salud home. Anton Rosas then swung a sacrificial one far right to bring Lozano back home for a 2-0 lead as La Salle’s offense also ended.

La Salle’s first surprise came in after head coach Joseph Orillana fielded Gesmundo at the mound. Gesmundo’s pitching made quick work of Ateneo’s batters as the Blue Eagles ended their offense scoreless.

Lozano’s walk, which followed Season 80 ROY Angelo Tantuico and Salud’s singles filled La Salle’s bases once again. Barandiaran then capitalized by hitting it straight to the center field, which sent Tantuico home. On the defensive side, a pitcher-catcher miscue committed by Gesmundo and Rosas allowed Altomonte to race to the home plate.

A sacrifice bunt by Rosas inched Gesmundo one base away from home, while also bringing Park to the second base. Salud then returned the favor by sending Gesmundo home on a low swing to the left field. Come Ateneo’s offensive, La Salle forced three quick outs against the Blue Eagles to maintain a 4-1 distance after three innings.

The Taft-based squad continued their scoring spree at the top of the fourth inning. Back-to-back fumbles by the Katipunan-based defenders sent Barandiaran and team captain Iggy Escaño home in different plays. La Salle pushed their lead to 6-1, which they maintained after earning their first scoreless offensive in the fifth inning.

Things started to get interesting at the bottom of the same inning, where Ateneo’s aggressiveness began to heat up. The Blue Eagles pulled back to within three, 3-6, following a two-run batted in by Tan. On the other hand, the Green Batters seemed to have cooled off after laying down another egg at the top of the sixth inning.

Park missed a Mallari hit at the bottom of the sixth, allowing Bitong to sprint back to their bench. Macasaet then brought Mallari back as Ateneo pounded their way back into the game, suddenly trailing by only one point, 5-6.

Although they were able to defend and keep their lead, La Salle continued to shoot zeroes in the seventh inning. Both teams produced nothing in a prologue to what eventually turned out to be dramatic and heart-stopping eighth and ninth innings.

Barandiaran will leave the Green Batters with the Best Hitter award, while Gesmundo is the uncontested Finals MVP. Escaño bagged the Most RBIs Made award. Lastly, Lozano claimed the Best Slugger, Most Home Runs, and Season MVP awards.

Green Booters still in quest for a win after losing against Ateneo

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters remain hunting for a win in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Football Tournament after suffering their fifth loss at the hands of archrivals Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 1-3, earlier at the FEU Fern Diliman.

In their first round encounter, the Green Booters logged a 2-1 victory over the Blue Eagles.

The Taft-based squad looked to pick up where they left off as they grabbed the lead early in the game. Mauro Acot made an extraordinary long-ranger at the 10th minute. However, the Katipunan-based squad was quick to counter. Ateneo top-scorer Jarvey Gayoso put up his equalizer just six minutes later.

Rupert Baña and Mark Nacional connected at the 42nd minute as the Blue Eagles overtook the Green Booters, 2-1. Furthermore, Gayoso scored his second goal late at the 83rd minute as La Salle sank to 1-3.

The Green Booters dropped to a win-loss record of 4-1-5 with 13 points.

They will face the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Sunday, 9 AM, at the same venue.

Green Batters fall short in Game 2 as Ateneo forces sudden death

Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters dropped a potential title-clinching Game 2 against the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 3-7, on Tuesday, April 2, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

La Salle had a cold offense to start the top of the first inning as they were held scoreless. On the other hand, Banzon and Macasaet went to the third and bases, respectively, following a double from the latter. Gino Tantuico connected on a single to send his teammates home and put Ateneo on the scoreboard, 2-0.

In the third inning, the Green Batters defensively stepped up their game as Diego Lozano finally put La Salle likewise on the scoreboard, 1-2. Team captain Iggy Escaño swung a dangerous one and what could have been an easy catch for Ateneo. However, two Blue Eagles on the right field committed a miscue as Lozano escaped with a run to the home plate. Reigning UAAP MVP Kiko Gesmundo followed it up with a shot deep to the center that sent Boo Barandiaran home and tied things up at 2-all.

Ateneo answered right away at the bottom of the same inning. Tantuico hit a single as Macasaet rushed to the third base. Tan sent Macasaet home with his own single, before a bunt Bitong got Tantuico running to the home plate. Another bunt by Andaya almost allowed a complete rotation by Altomonte, but a double play by the Green Batters prevented him and ended their offense. La Salle trailed Ateneo, 2-4, after three innings.

Reigning ROY Angelo Tantuico opted for a sacrifice bunt to send Mark Evangelista and Anton Rosas to third and second bases, respectively, in the fourth inning. However, the Taft-based squad could not capitalize as an easy catch on Paolo Salud’s fly ball and a strikeout on Lozano ended La Salle’s inning scoreless.

On the other hand, Mallari started the Blue Eagles’ offense with a double. Macasaet also swung a double as he and Mallari switched positions. Ateneo led La Salle, 5-2, after four innings.

The Green Batters continued to produce blanks in the next four innings. Nevertheless, they were able to hold the Blue Eagles scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings to keep themselves within striking distance.

However, Ateneo saw an opportunity at the bottom of the seventh inning to score two more points as Tantuico hit a two-run homer. The score stabilized during the eighth inning with Ateneo having a comfortable lead of five points.

With their backs against the wall and a four-run deficit entering the top of the ninth inning, La Salle did not want to back down just yet. Lozano earned a walk, and then followed it up with an escape to steal the second base. Barandiaran sent Lozano home as La Salle’s offense finally woke up. Unfortunately, their stand proved to be the last as the Blue Eagles were able to tag Barandiaran and end the game to their favor, 7-3.

The DLSU Green Batters will face the Blue Eagles one last time on Friday, April 5, 12 NN at the same venue, with the winner taking the UAAP Season 81 Baseball title.

Green Batters ‘got to want it even more’ in potential title-clincher

Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

Team captain Iggy Escaño and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters moved to within a win away from clinching the UAAP Season 81 Baseball title after pulling out an impressive victory against their archrivals Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles in Game 1 of the Finals last Friday, March 29, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

‘A tough battle as expected’

Those who watched the first game live at the venue and on livestreams were presented with a low-scoring ballgame in the first five innings, before things spiced up in the next four. La Salle and Ateneo engaged in a highly defensive match as neither wanted to give up a crucial Game 1 victory to the other.

Escaño described the finals-opener as “a tough battle as we expected it to be.” Although they were coming into it with a six-game winning streak, the captain of the Green Batters reminded his team to come ready and really wanting to win.

Clearly, with no less than the championship on the offering, who would not come ready and really wanting to win? So, Escaño told the team “that we just had to want it more.”

And that hunger translated after the Green Batters hung on to win it in a suspense ending. “I think we really showed that in the end even when they were trying to make a comeback. We didn’t let up and kept fighting to get that win,” Escaño shared.

Next man up

La Salle and Ateneo not only had to wrestle in a Baseball match, but also had to play it under the burning heat of the sun…for just around four hours.

It was not only a battle of strength and speed among others, but also a battle of endurance. “The conditions were really tough with the extreme heat, and a lot of were badly cramping up,” said Escaño, whose team saw three pitchers, Luis Miñana, Boo Barandiaran, and Diego Lozano one by one cramp up late in the game.

He added, “I liked how people in the team stepped up when we needed to, especially the pitchers. When one by one they started going down with cramps, the next guy was always ready to get the job done.”

It was a testament to how La Salle wanted to claim Game 1 more, and that alone was made Escaño a proud leader. “I’m proud of my team for fighting through it and giving everything they had to get that win.”

Barandiaran replaced Miñana at the top of the seventh inning after the rookie pitcher suffered from cramps. In an instant, however, the Blue Eagles were quick to adjust to Barandiaran’s pitches as they finally put themselves up in the scoreboard with two runs. On the other hand, the Green Batters were silenced at the bottom of the same inning.

Regardless, Barandiaran was able to make his adjustments as the Taft-based squad returned the favor to Katipunan with four runs in the eighth inning, including a Superman-unleashing homerun by Escaño. “Our offense woke up a little bit late though in that game, and I feel like we can do a better job of scoring more runs earlier in the game.

Later in the game, Barandiaran was replaced by Lozano, who was eventually also replaced by Arvin Herrera. “Our pitching and defense were really good through the most part of the game.”

Who wants it more?

Now that everything in Game 1 is done, the Green Batters set their eyes on what could be their last and sweetest game in the UAAP Season 81—the series closer and the championship clincher.

An improved hitting team and four hours of play under a more intense heat of the sun are just some of the things that they can expect in Game 2. And for Escaño, “Now knowing the conditions we’re going to play in, we’re all coming in more prepared.”

He added, “I feel like our bodies will definitely be ready for whatever Game 2 may bring.”

Escaño was least surprised when Ateneo held their final stand at the top of the ninth inning, pulling to within two after being down by seven. “I can’t say that I was surprised by their rally because I knew a team like Ateneo wasn’t going to go down without a fight, especially with stakes this high.”

They did it in the first six innings of the game. “We were able to hold them scoreless, and that’s tough to do with a hitting team such as Ateneo,” Escaño said. Now, the focus is how they can keep their defense as sharp as that.

But just as he would always say, “I knew my team was ready for that and I had full confidence and trust in my teammates at that moment that we could come out with the win even during that rally.”

La Salle may have taken Game 1, but it is not over until it is over, and now is definitely not the time to relax. The Green Batters expect Ateneo to go into Game 2 wanting to force a winner-takes-all match on Friday.

He would always remind his teammates to come in with a greater desire to win, but Escaño simply believes that they have already prepared well and it will just be a matter of who wants it more.

“That’s what it’s really all about. As I said before, I know this team has what it takes to bring that championship home and tomorrow, I’m confident that we’re going to prove that to everybody.”

Lady Spikers take down Tigresses as Cheng posts new career-high

Co-written by: Genrev Villamin
Photo by: Flavius Dulce

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers avenged their first round loss against the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses with a four-set win, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24, yesterday, March 31, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The game’s beginning proved to be a difficult task for the Lady Spikers as they struggled with early errors from net touch violations and failed attacks. UST led La Salle, 8-4, at the first technical timeout after a net touch violation on Lourdes Clemente. The Lady Spikers remained kept themselves within striking distance by cutting the deficit to two, 14-16, at the second break. However, the Golden Tigresses pulled away with three straight points off the timeout. An ace from Roldan put them to set point, 24-18, before they took the set, 25-21.

The succeeding sets shifted the momentum in favor of the Lady Spikers, though it was no simple challenge. An attacking error from EJ Laure gave la Salle a 4-1 lead. On the other hand, a mis-hit by Jolina Dela Cruz tied the game at 5 before Tin Tiamzon’s error gave the lead to UST, 6-5. La Salle regained the driver’s seat at 10-9. They then came up with a 6-1 run that saw a Desiree Cheng block on Laure and an Aduke Ogunsanya denial on Dimdim Pacres. Dela Cruz joined the block party with a rejection on Sisi Rondina to as the Lady Spikers put up their biggest lead, 18-11. UST clawed their way back with a 6-1 run, but DLSU relied on their champion defense to take the second set, 25-23.

A service error by May Luna put the Lady Spikers behind the Golden Tigresses, 9-12, in the third set. But, the same set also saw a 10-point run from the defending champions turn that three-point deficit into a seven-point edge, 19-12. Cheng located an open corner to put La Salle up, 22-14, before a net touch violation on Laure put the Lady Spikers to set point, 24-17. But, Ogunsanya shut down the door on UST, 25-19, to post a pivotal 2-1 set lead.

The fourth set was a rather close game between the two teams. With UST determined to take the game into a fifth set, La Salle held up their defenses against their hungry opponents. An ace by Tiamzon gave them an 8-7 lead at the first technical timeout. But, the Golden Tigresses would not let go as the set was still tied until 20-all. Marionne Alba served up an ace and Cheng denied Rondina to give La Salle a breathing room ahead, 22-20. The Lady Spikers committed two errors that brought up the stakes and tied the game at 24-all. Laure had a chance to put UST to set point, but Clemente came up with an emphatic block as La Salle ended the set with the win, 26-24.

Team captain Desiree Cheng surpassed her recent career-high performance against NU with a whopping 20 points on 14 attacks, three kill blocks, and three service aces.

The Lady Spikers now sit at solo second behind their archrivals Ateneo Lady Eagles. They carry with them a win-loss record of 7-3.

The DLSU Lady Spikers will face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, April 7, 2 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Straight-set victory puts the Green Spikers back in winning column

Co-written by: Genrev Villamin
Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers found their way back as they defeated the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, 29-27, yesterday, March 31, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Although they drew first blood, the Green Spikers committed two service errors early into the game. The first set was a close game, with both teams consistent in answering each other’s points. Inoferio put UE on top at the first technical timeout, 8-7. The Red Warriors proved to be difficult challengers as their key players Inoferio and Abalon kept the race tight. An error by Geraint Bacon put the Green Spikers down by three, 15-18. However, five unanswered points capped by an Inoferio error gave the lead back to La Salle, 20-18. The Taft-based squad never looked back and sealed the first set, 25-21.

La Salle started the second set slowly, trailing by three, 3-6. Not long after, it was the same seesaw ride midway through the set as the Green Spikers took the driver’s seat, 12-11 with a Cris Dumago tip. The second set saw a more offensive side of La Salle with the team captain hot at the Red Warriors’ feet. However, UE answered with four straight to lead by two, 16-14, at the second technical timeout. JD Delos Reyes knotted the set at 17-all before Paul Serrano gave the lead to the Green Spikers for good, 20-19. Gian De Jesus’ service ace closed the set in favor of the Green and White, 25-22.

With their backs now against the wall, the Red Warriors were even more determined in the third set as they pulled away from a 9-all knot and widened the gap to 16-11. On the other hand, the Green Spikers saw themselves on a six-point deficit, 18-24, after a net touch violation. However, a block from Delos Reyes ignited a fire from within his team. Anima and Reyes contributed as La Salle slowly erased the deficit and tie the game at 24. The Red Warriors held on to several set points, but La Salle took the match point at 27-26 following an error on UE. La Salle’s defense earned them the set, 29-27, and the victory.

The performance brought by an assertive La Salle squad pushed them up the ranks at fifth place with a 4-6 win-loss record. Dumago offered 12 points from 11 attacks and one block to lead his team.

The Green Spikers will go against the league’s current top seed, the NU Bulldogs on Sunday, April 7, 8 AM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Green Booters split elims series against defending champs

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Booters remained winless in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Football tournament after bowing to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 0-2, yesterday at the FEU Fern Diliman.

The defending champions put themselves on the scoreboard after Karl Bugayong nailed a header in the seventh minute of the match. The Fighting Maroons held control of the ball for most of the first half to prevent the Green Booters from scoring.

La Salle saw improvements on both ends of the game in the second half. Unfortunately, just a few minutes coming off the break, King Miyagi tallied another goal at the 51st minute. The Taft-based squad had their chances as Shanden Vergara almost put DLSU on the scoring board. However, they could not keep up with the time as the whistle blew with a final score of 0-2.

The DLSU Green Booters (4-1-4) look to bounce back on Thursday, 3:30 PM, at the same venue as they face their archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Green Batters move one win away from claiming Baseball title

Co-written by: Genrev Villamin
Photo by: Jempoy Pimentel

After four hours of play under the heat of the sun, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters drew first blood in the UAAP Season 81 Baseball Finals to move one win away from claiming the championship.

La Salle defeated archrivals Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, 9-7, in Game 1 of the best-of-three series last Friday, March 29, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Green Batters and the Blue Eagles engaged in a low-scoring match as the Season 80 first runners-up held on to a 1-0 lead after five innings. The latter remained blank after their offensive in the sixth inning. At the bottom of the same inning, things started to spice up for the Green Batters.

First, a sacrifice bunt by Tuwi Park brought Pineda to second base. Rosas then hit a double with an RBI that sent Pineda home. Paolo Salud scored a single with an RBI to bring Rosas home and Angelo Tantuico to second base. Diego Lozano eventually loaded all bases for DLSU. Back-to-back walks from Boo Barandiaran brought Tantuico and Salud home and gave La Salle a 5-0 edge over Ateneo.

Rookie pitcher Luis Miñana suffered from cramps in the seventh inning, and the Blue Eagles capitalized. They cut their deficit to three after finally putting themselves on the scoreboard, 2-5. However, they could not read Barandiaran as soon as he made adjustments in the following inning.

The Taft-based squad looked to pull away at the bottom of the eighth inning. Lozano started it off with a double followed by a single from Barandiaran. Team captain Iggy Escaño cleared the bases after hitting a home run that also sent Lozano and Barandiaran home. Kiko Gesmundo scored a single before an RBI by Rosas sent the UAAP Season 80 MVP home. After eight innings, La Salle erected a huge seven-run lead over Ateneo, 9-2.

The Blue Eagles put up their last stand at the top of the ninth inning. Andaya, Mallari, and Banzon each hit singles to load all bases. Macasaet sent Andaya home off a pitch from Lozano, who replaced Barandiaran. With all their bases still loaded, Tantuico hit a grand slam. All of a sudden, the crowd were into a suspense ending as Ateneo pulled to within only two runs behind, 9-7. However, the Green Batters would not be denied as they were able to tag the last hitter from Katipunan to seal Game 1.

Support the DLSU Green Batters as they look to end the series and claim the championship tomorrow, April 2, 12 NN at the same venue.