Victorious Green Spikers seek payback vs Tamaraws

MANILA, Philippines – The DLSU Green Spikers are off to a great start in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament, drubbing the Adamson Soaring Falcons in straight sets, 25-22, 25-23, 26-24, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

But looking ahead to their next game against the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, February 21, star hitter Noel Kampton admits there is still a sting brought about their early exit last season.

“You know, FEU, medyo may ano pa sa akin yun, kasi sila yung tumalo sa amin last Final Four and nung offseason, 'di rin kami nanalo sa kanila,” said Kampton, who scored a game-high 19 points in the victory. 

“So alam mo yun? Yung eagerness na gusto namin makabawi naman sa FEU… We will try our best para makuha namin [yung panalo].” he added.

The win won’t be something handed to them, though, which skipper JM Ronquillo said should be something they need to be reminded of.

Against Adamson, who they needed to drag into an extended set in the third frame to claim the sweep, La Salle apparently had some lapses in dealing with complacency. After going up 2-0, Adamson looked poised to extend the match to a fourth canto.

With the games only getting tougher as the season goes on, the team captain hopes his teammates learn to shake things off.

“Yung mental toughness and complacency… Kailangan namin matanggal yung complacency kasi sa una, sa start ng set, lagi kaming nauunahan, lagi silang nauuna sa score, lagi sila lumalamang ng malaki,” said Ronquillo. 

“And I think yun yung kailangan namin i-work out pa sa mga susunod pa naming games.” he added.

Aware of the caliber of the Tamaraws, DLSU will need to work out their mental lapses and fast.

They face the Tamaraws in the opening game of the quadruple header on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 10 a.m.