The DLSU Lady Spikers host a literal block party in order to secure a crucial twice-to-beat advantage against the UST Golden Tigresses.
Under Ramil de Jesus, the DLSU Lady Spikers have built a winning dynasty in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament by relying on height and might, with net defense being a crucial factor behind the 12 championships they have delivered to Taft Avenue.
And on Wednesday, April 30, it’s this signature blocking that powered the Lady Spikers past the UST Golden Tigresses, with the Taft-based squad recording a season-high 20 rejections in their thrilling 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27 victory to secure a coveted twice-to-beat advantage heading into the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final Four.
But what exactly is the secret behind this tried and tested tactic from the Lady Spikers? For longtime deputy Noel Orcullo, it actually goes beyond bringing height and might to the Taraflex.
“Samin naman sinasabi namin sa kanila, ‘yung blocking is hindi naman dahil sa tangkad. It’s all about timing eh, how to read the setter, kung paano ninyo ise-set, and kung paano papaluin ng blocker,” Orcullo explained following the one-game playoff between DLSU and UST at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Amie Provido led the Lady Spikers’ great wall with a game-high five blocks, along with four apiece from captain Angel Canino and rookie Lilay Del Castillo, three from veteran Aleiah Malauan, and two more from towering opposite Shevana Laput.
Four of the Lady Spikers’ 20 rejections also came in the endgame of Set 4, where Malaluan, Del Castillo, Laput, and setter Julyana Tolentino all nailed down crucial rejections that sealed the Taft-based squad’s hard-fought victory.
“Kung ano ‘yung iniisip ng spiker, kailangan mabasa mo kung paano niya gagawing palo, and doon ka magbasa para ma-block mo siya. Kailangan basahin mo kung ano ‘yung gagawin ng mga kalaban mo, mag-umpisa ka sa setter tapos sa set ng bola, and sa diskarte ng spiker,” Orcullo explained.
On top of getting a twice-to-beat advantage through Wednesday’s win, the Lady Spikers also inched closer to rewriting history against the Tigresses, who emerged victorious in a similar playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in Season 86 last year.
The Tigresses went on to dispatch DLSU in last year’s Final Four, which led the Lady Spikers to settle for a rare bronze medal finish. As heartbreaking as it was, however, Orcullo is confident that this year’s squad is much, much tougher, especially on the mental side of things.
“Siguro yung difference nila ngayon, siguro itong mga batang ito gusto nila, kasi last year medyo nagkulang eh. Towards the end of the second round medyo bumaba na yung demeanor na gusto manalo, talagang nagkulang eh,” admitted Orcullo, with the Lady Spikers having to deal with a freak accident to Canino last year.
“Ngayon siguro ‘yung mga bata napu-push through our guidance na i-ano ‘yung sarili nila, kung ano yung gusto mangyaring ngayong season, sila yung gagawa.”
One more shot for UST
DLSU and UST will meet again this Saturday, May 3, as the Season 87 Final Four fires off at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. While they may now be at a massive disadvantage, however, head coach Kung Fu Reyes isn’t exactly dwelling on Wednesday’s loss.
In the longtime mentor’s view, the fight is far from over for UST, and they will still have one more shot to fix their lapses ahead of Saturday’s matchup.
“Again, gagawin namin lahat ng adjustment, lahat ng possible correction papunta sa game on Saturday. The game itself, everybody’s game, hindi pangit ‘yung nilaro, talagang may kulang lang and hindi pumabor sa amin this time,” said the longtime UST tactician.
“And ‘yung mga kulang, ‘yun ang tatrabahuhin namin. Tomorrow [Thursday], I think konting pahinga, then balik agad sa hardcourt. Friday ganon ulit, but magre-recover kami ulit ng Friday so at least by Saturday, ready na uli kami.”
Asked about the Lady Spikers’ impressive block total, Reyes believes that it will be a matter of improving their floor coverage, on top of better passing to create more opportunities for combination plays.
Recovery will just be as crucial, Reyes said, given that UST will also need to rely on their natural leap to overcome the Lady Spikers’ blocking.
“Kahit mag-fifth set matangkad pa rin si La Salle, and nagkakatalo na lang ‘yung talon. Pero ‘yung skills level, kundisyonan ng katawan, diyan magkakaiba, na who will be the healthiest team this time.”
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.