De La Salle University finished the Spikers’ Turf preliminaries on a four-game win streak after fending off University of the Philippines, 25-22, 24-26, 15-25, 25-13, 15-13, Wednesday at San Juan Arena.
Raymark Woo launched a powerful crosscourt kill to lead the Archers to a 4-1 record and a quarterfinals spot.
Spikers head coach Ronald Dulay said they expected to win all their assignments after dropping their opener against Ateneo, as the team is peaking at the right time and the players have improved every game after the loss.
“We did expect to get to 4-1,” Dulay said. “The team is peaking right now, and the four games after Ateneo were the games that we really improved.”
“Every game we have to step up.”
A service error from the Fighting Maroons gave La Salle the 14-12 match point but Wendel Miguel gave UP a glimmer of hope, 14-13.
John Onia led La Salle with 25 points while Woo and Mike Frey added 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Alfred Valbuena led UP with 21 points.
La Salle was on point with its attacking, scoring on 60 points compared to UP’s 38 but was disastrous in keeping the ball inbounds committing 38 errors.