ROAR IS BACK
The goal, as was made clear before the tournament started, is a championship. And yet somehow, Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado made their way to the third game of their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball schedule with still no win to show.
But instead of turning urgency into pressure, the University of Santo Tomas duo went the other way.
“We made sure not to dwell on what happened in our last two games,” Poyos said in Filipino. “We really chose to move forward and leave those behind, focusing instead on the present. This time, we were more solid and united as a team.”
The Tigresses finally tasted victory—a 26-24, 25-18, 25-21 romp over an Ateneo team that also entered their Wednesday clash at Mall of Asia Arena without a win.
But it was a good place as any to reboot UST’s title aspirations.
“I just hope we can keep it going,” Poyos said.
Limited to a total of 12 points in her first two games, Jurado finished with 11 kills and a block on top of 12 excellent digs against the Blue Eagles as the Tigresses improved to 1-2 (win-loss).
“I think having the mindset of taking it one step at a time really helped, especially after those two losses. For now, we just want to focus on each step first before thinking about the bigger end goal,” said Jurado in Filipino.
“I also just trusted the coaches’ decision-making because they’re the ones who see everything in training. I know everything they do is for the good of the team. And during the times I wasn’t playing, I tried to help in other ways like encouraging my teammates, especially since I couldn’t contribute on the court.”
Acceptance is key
Coach Shaq Delos Santos said that despite losses to early tournament leaders National University and La Salle, UST actually played well.
“We gave our best in that game, but the result wasn’t good. We shifted our focus to the next plan leading up to this game,” Delos Santos said.
“I think the key was accepting the situation. We focused more on how we should respond instead of dwelling on it. Losses are normal; [it’s] not all the time you’re going to win. What’s more important is how you bounce back and how you rebuild as a team.”
“On our side as coaches, we have to be the inspiration for the players and guide them toward the goals we want to achieve.”
Poyos and the Tigresses have more than enough things going for them in their bid to make it two-in-a-row.
UST not only battles the bottom-dwelling University of the East on Saturday, but the Tigresses will be competing within the comforts of home.
“We’re just excited because it’s our home court and that’s where we always train,” Poyos said of the game slated at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion. “We’re expecting a lot of support, especially from the UST community. [W]e have to stay motivated to win,” said Poyos.
The comebacking Delos Santos, the last coach to deliver a title for UST, vows to bring out the best in the Tigresses in a rare home game to give their students and alumni a good game.
“We’ll try to double or even triple the effort we gave today, especially because preparation is crucial,” said the returning UST coach. “We’re really looking forward to playing there since it’s the court we use every day. Hopefully, that familiarity helps us feel more confident in everything we do.”
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