Tuesday, 24 February 2015
also seen in TieBreaker Times
We now have arrived in the Final Four. The men’s semi-final matches will be interesting to watch as both match-ups offset each other in terms of individual skills. Both UST-NU and Ateneo-Adamson are tied head-to-head in the eliminations, and these 4 teams will duke it out in tomorrow’s showdowns. Ateneo and UST both have the twice-to-beat advantage coming into the semis – can NU and Adamson overcome this? Check out our takes on both matches below.
UST Growling Tigers vs NU Bulldogs
Rank
|
UST
|
NU
|
Spike
|
3
|
1
|
Atk Eff%
|
25%
|
27%
|
Block
|
5
|
1
|
Rebound %
|
33%
|
32%
|
Serve
|
2
|
3
|
Ace per set
|
1.19
|
1.02
|
Dig
|
2
|
8
|
Digs per set
|
5.38
|
4.57
|
Set
|
1
|
4
|
Exc Set per set
|
8.56
|
7.98
|
Pass
|
4
|
3
|
Pass Eff%
|
27%
|
29%
|
Head-to-head, UST and NU are tied in the elimination rounds – NU winning the first round in 5 sets, while UST able to get their revenge in the second round by winning in 3 sets. In their latest duel, despite NU being number one in attacks in the league, UST was able to mount more in that particular game (46 vs 36) - this was due to the excellent playmaking led by Paul Castillo and Timothy Tajanlangit.
For tomorrow’s game, NU being the last in the ranks in terms of digging, must try to be able to catch opponent attacks, especially from UST’s main scorer, Mark Alfafara. Despite NU’s lackluster floor defense, they make up for it in offense with an attack efficiency of 27%. UST has better serving, with more aces per set than NU, but they need to pick up their offense in other areas – service aces won’t take you places if the opponent is receiving the ball better (NU passing efficiency 29% vs 27% of UST). UST also has better setting and playmaking, but attack conversion is more important in winning the game.
Keys to the match:
UST
Given NU is # 1 in attacking, blocking must be imperative for UST. Based on their elimination games, they won the game if they elevate their blocking significantly.
NU out blocked UST (12 vs 10)
UST
|
WON
|
LOST
|
AVE
|
BLK/SET
|
2.51
|
1.67
|
2.27
|
REBOUND%
|
33.44%
|
30.42%
|
32.69%
|
Limit errors in all aspects. If they do commit errors, they must be able to overcome this with consistent attacking.
Despite UST having more atks (62 vs 59), they also committed more errors (26 vs 19). Atk-to-error ratio is higher for NU (3.10 vs 2.38), meaning UST’s atks are not enough to compensate for errors committed.
NU
Continue aggression on attacks, but they should be wary of attack errors.
NU’s success% on attacks higher by a margin (40.41% vs UST’s 40.00%).
NU
|
WON
|
LOST
|
AVE
|
ATK/SET
|
14.30
|
8.61
|
12.29
|
HITTING IPE%
|
83.9%
|
78.1%
|
82.2%
|
Errors must be less than 60% of points contributed by the team (atks, blks, aces).
NU’s error weight (errors vs points contributed) is at 25.00% (vs UST’s 33.77%).
Prediction: NU can extend this to a second game if they keep up their attacks and if UST cannot control their own errors (for the season, UST is net negative on errors on their won points while NU is positive).Ateneo Blue Eagles vs Adamson Soaring Falcons
Rank
|
Ateneo
|
AdU
|
Spike
|
2
|
4
|
Atk Eff%
|
25%
|
18%
|
Block
|
3
|
2
|
Rebound %
|
33%
|
33%
|
Serve
|
1
|
4
|
Ace per set
|
1.37
|
1.00
|
Dig
|
5
|
1
|
Digs per set
|
5.25
|
6.35
|
Set
|
2
|
3
|
Exc Set per set
|
8.42
|
8.33
|
Pass
|
2
|
1
|
Pass Eff%
|
32%
|
33%
|
Adamson and Ateneo are also tied in the elimination rounds – Adamson winning the first clash with a four set win while Ateneo won the next one in straight sets. Ateneo was able to produce more attack points (40 vs 22) in their second round match, backed by defense on digs (16 vs 9) and passing (27 vs 17), overcoming Adamson, the team known to be the best defensive team in the league.
This match up will be all about offense vs defense – Ateneo outranks Adamson in terms of attacks, serves, and sets/playmaking, while Adamson is the league’s king in defense, being #1 in digging and passing, and #2 in blocking. For tomorrow’s match, Adamson should bank on their steady defense to be able to win the game (both floor and net). Ateneo has to find the seams of the blocks, or use the block whenever spiking, and avoid Rence Melgar as much as possible who is the #1 libero in the league.
Keys to the match:
Ateneo
- Continue to be aggressive on the serve. Despite committing more errors, they won the games where the team took more risk on the service line.
ATENEO
|
WON
|
LOST
|
AVE
|
ACES/SET
|
1.74
|
0.36
|
1.37
|
FAULTS/SET
|
4.08
|
2.71
|
3.71
|
- Errors should not be more than 50% of the point contribution of the team.
Adamson
- Be able to successfully convert more points from attacks. Their contribution from attacks are significantly lower when they lose a game (by more than half compared to games won)
ADAMSON
|
WON
|
LOST
|
AVE
| |
ATK/SET
|
13.94
|
7.68
|
11.61
|
- Continue aggression on the block by getting at least 3 blocks per set.
Prediction: Ateneo, if they continue to dominate on all offensive skills (on the average, Ateneo has more effort on point contribution than Adamson, i.e. Ateneo gets points from their own atks, blks and aces while Adamson’s differential in winning relies more on opponent errors than their own efforts)
Who will win? For men’s games, the more aggressive teams usually win the game – attacks usually carry the team to the top. However, it’s all about balance in crucial matches like these – aggression must be controlled with poise and focus. Breaks of the game are defined not by who is luckier but who is in control.
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Separated from all the chaos in the lower rungs are the two current powerhouses in collegiate women's volleyball. Ateneo is looking forward to sweeping the elimination rounds (for the first time in its volleyball history) for an outright thrice-to-beat finals appearance on a stepladder semi-finals format. In contrast, La Salle would want to win against Ateneo today to prevent the stepladder format, and would result to them being #1 in the standings (regardless if they win in 3, 4 or 5 sets).
Looking at the skills, both teams seem to cancel each other out. In order for them to win the game, they should be able to improve on their negatives and enhance all their positives. Both these teams are eager to win today, and whatever the outcome is will affect the 5 teams vying for the last 2 spots in the top 4.
La Salle - keys to the match:
- Service faults should not erode their service aces
- Receive the opponent's service successfully at least 75% of the time
Ateneo - keys to the match:
- Get at least 10 atks/set from excellent plays
- Unforced errors should not be more than half of the team’s point production (in atks, blks, and aces)
Prediction: ??? Honestly, too close to tell!
Based on current standings, there are 5 teams battling out for the last 2 spots in the stepladder/semi-finals - NU, UP, UST, AdU, FEU. We will witness these 5 teams battle each other out in the last 3 elimination days of the season.
FEU routed the Lady Maroons in straight sets in their first round meeting - the Lady Tamaraws dominated in all skills, leaving UP to catch up in all departments. However, their previous match up was their first UAAP game this season. Considering this, a lot has happened to both teams after 11 more matches for each. Although they are seemingly tied in most aspects, UP has improved on their attacks, most of which can be attributed to team captain Nicole Tiamzon's efforts. However, detrimental to their improvement is their inconsistency, particularly in the service department - they should limit their service faults to less than 2 faults per set if they want to win the game. For FEU specifically, when their errors started to overshadow their offensive numbers, they lose their games - this means they work double time to simultaneously create points and erode them with their own errors. If FEU wants to win, they need to limit their errors.
UP - keys to the match:
- Service faults should be less than 2 faults/set
- More than 1/3 of their attack attempts should be successfully converted
FEU - keys to the match:
- Receive the ball well - do not allow opponent to score more than 2 aces/set
- Unforced errors should not be more than half of the team's point production (in atks, blks, and aces)
Prediction: UP in 3-4 sets
We saw NU win against Adamson in the first round of eliminations in four sets. NU's dominance in offense gave them the advantage, particularly in attacks which made it difficult for Adamson to execute their trademark defense. This is due to their setting abilities, tallying 67.67% attacks from plays drawn. Adamson is also lacking in the offensive department, merely tallying 48.3% points from attacks for games that they have won - playmaking will be important for Adamson if they want the W. NU's serve is crucial - they can get the win if they score at least an ace/set.
NU - keys to the match:
- Score at least an average of 1.7 aces/set
- Score more than 10 atks/set
- Limit unforced errors to less than 5 per set
- At least 60% of attacks come from tactical plays (i.e. combinations)
Prediction: NU in 4-5 sets
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