De La Salle University took the court on Friday for their preliminary round match of the 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge against the NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA with one thing in mind: to play their best.
Beyond that, however, the Green Spikers knew that a win against the Altas would secure their advancement into the semifinals, necessitating some adjustments.
Yoyong Mendoza started in place of former captain Vince Maglinao to provide a stronger offensive presence for De La Salle. Acting head coach Jose Roque's intention was to intimidate and put pressure on the opponent.
The gamble paid off, as the prized recruit took charge with a game-high 17 points, all of which came from attacks, in the three-set conquest of the Altas, with scores of 25-20, 25-19, 25-19.
The upstart from Bulacan was visibly pleased with his performance, stating, "I was very glad that we won this match, and with that, we were able to secure a place in the semis. When we won, we realized that our V-League journey continues. Being in the first six, I knew I just had to focus on the game and stay disciplined because we all know what we needed to do on the court from training. So, being able to contribute to this win boosted my morale and self-confidence."
Mendoza and the rest of the De La Salle squad now eagerly anticipate their upcoming match against rival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday, which serves as a prelude to their own semifinal battle. As a first-timer, Mendoza recognizes that the stakes are high, and the pride factor is off the charts when it comes to this storied rivalry.
The erstwhile Sta. Rosa Lion is also looking forward to facing a former teammate who is now on the opposing side. "I'm very excited, of course. I will also get to play against Kuya Jan (Mangulabnan), who was my teammate for two conferences in the Spikers' Turf. I'm ready to face them, and I will truly do my best to help my team win."
