Securing their quarterfinals ticket, De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Green Stallions cruised a straight set triumph, 3-0, over Lake Shore Colleges (LSC) Patriots in the men’s volleyball elimination round of the Southern Luzon Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SLCUAA) Season 27 at De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) last Sept. 12.
In an interview with Lavoxa Online, DLSL Volleyball Men Team Captain Dominic Jan Tesoro emphasized that the sport thrives on collective effort and that this helped them secure the win.
“Palagi ko lang sinasabi sa teammates ko na they need to know who they are and that they are part of the team. Hindi lang pwede na sarili lang ‘yung dala namin, kasi volleyball is a team sport,” said Tesoro.
The steeds surged past the green-jersey opponents in the opening onslaught as the former’s team chemistry powered relentless rallies and precise plays, 5-1.
Tactical substitutions aided the emerald horses’ offensive and defensive maneuvers, making the Patriots’ succeeding requital insufficient, ending, 25-20.
With the Patriots taking advantage of the Stallions’ attack errors, the latter tightened their service-receive formation and built an impenetrable wall at the net to establish an early lead, 6-2.
Both squads later traded similar plays while bolstering their defenses, but DLSL’s Carl Jersey Perez’s and John Francis Vergara’s reinforced blocks combined with Nike Joseph Faller’s and Liam Zachary Quiñia’s piercing spikes ultimately conquered the second set, 25-19.
Holding firm through lengthy exchanges, the Stallions kept the ball alive despite the Patriots’ strongly-executed receives attempting to swing the momentum, 8-4.
Following a timeout, the Patriots were again quickly dismissed as their kills and rotation adjustments failed to pressure the Lasallian troop, 12-10.
The Patriots then edged ahead through relentless volleys and point-by-point attacks, forcing a deadlock, 14-14.
With the game at its closing stretch, the green-clad squad promptly denied LSC’s comeback bid as their decisive attacks clinched the set, 25-22.
Jasper Rodriguez, the team’s head coach, noted that their calculated replacements reinvigorated the team, allowing players to improve their focus on the court.
“My term is “breather.” […] when a player experiences [an] off [gameplay] […], it’s time for substitution, […] so that there is a time to think, reflect, and see the error behind his performance,” Rodriguez stated.
The season officially commenced at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) on Sept. 20 with 18 collegiate men’s volleyball teams vying for the championship title.
