FIGHT’S STILL THERE
University of Santo Tomas (UST) lost a battle, but the war has only just begun.
“The Final Four has yet to start [on Saturday]. We are on the side of a twice-to-beat [disadvantage] against La Salle,” coach KungFu Reyes said after the Golden Tigresses lost the Game 1 of their virtual best-of-three affair against the Lady Spikers. “We need to win on Saturday to at least have a Game 2.”
Despite several tries, the España-based squad failed to secure the last available semifinal incentive in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Its last chance, a playoff for the benefit, ended with a tightly contested 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27 result against La Salle on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Spikers, who rose to the second spot, appeared to be always one step ahead of the Tigresses typified by a huge disparity in the blocking department where La Salle feasted on a 20-8 advantage.
“We can’t hide it. Our cards are already laid out so this time we need to overachieve the points we are making,” Reyes said. “The adjustments and all possible corrections are in our hands which we can bring on Saturday.
“It was everybody’s game, we didn’t play badly, it’s just that we fell short, things didn’t go according to plan but whatever we lacked, we will work to fix it,” he added.
Reyes had a point as the Tigresses weren’t too far behind on the other aspects. Angge Poyos, despite being checked a lot of times by La Salle’s net defense, still ended up with 24 points—10 of which coming from the opening frame.
But the problem lies in the floor coverage of UST, something that was one of its strengths previously, which failed to adjust to the fortified fort of the Lady Spikers.
‘A process’
Santo Tomas, which saw the script from last season reversed on it, will have to move fast to keep its hopes of a Finals return alive.
“Who is willing to sacrifice more, who wants it more: That’s who will win. This time we will want to extend the series, so we will still have a chance to reach the Finals,” Reyes said.
“This is a process. [Losing today] does not mean that we are not yet ready. We still have a chance and another opportunity to come back,” he added after UST suffered a second straight loss, the first one from the hands of National University.
Apart from a much better floor coverage, Reyes is also looking for his wing spikers to make their presence felt more.
Help wanted
Reg Jurado contributed 12 points but the rest of the Tigresses’ hitters, lacking the contributions of injured Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, would need to provide, especially from the likes of Beth Hilongo and Kyla Cordora.
Cassie Carballo, who dished out 28 excellent sets, would also need to connect more with middle blockers Marga Altea, Pia Abbu and Em Banagua.
“If they have a strong blocking, what can our spikers do tactically, technically? How can we create possible second chance points? That’s where our coverage comes in,” Reyes said.
“We’re already here. We will do everything to overachieve because this is already the Final Four … We have to stand firm on this,” he added. “We need to be more composed.
“We will fight for UST until the end. Like what they say, that’s the school we choose. As simple as that.”
