Head coach Kung Fu Reyes believes that better poise down the stretch could be the missing link to UST’s championship aspirations.
It was a familiar ending once again as the UST Golden Tigresses and NU Lady Bulldogs closed out the elimination round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament over the weekend.
Similar to their Round 1 matchup, the Golden Tigresses ran out of steam against the defending champs in an intense five setter 25-23, 17-25, 18-25, 25-22, 9-15, which sets up a crucial playoff for number 2 against the DLSU Lady Spikers scheduled for this Wednesday, April 30.
Still, head coach Kung Fu Reyes remained proud of his team’s showing, knowing that they gave it their all against the Bella Belen-led National U in what could have been a possible Season 87 finals preview.
“Happy in a way na hanggang sa dulo, inilalaban kahit may na may mga iniinda na at mga soreness na sa muscles, at hanggang sa last point talagang hindi sila sumuko. And ‘yun talaga ‘yung chine-chase namin, na makuha namin ‘yung twice to beat advantage. Pero ‘yung mga learning namin dito, again may babaunin muli kami papuntang semis,” Reyes said in a short interview following the loss.
Sunday’s game was another valiant stand by the Tigresses, who were able to overcome National U’s heavy services and impressive defensive stand after back-to-back lopsided set losses in the second and third frames.
Reg Jurado continued to be the Tigresses’ heart and soul after showing the way with a team-high 19 points and 12 receptions against the Lady Bulldogs, followed by Angge Poyos’ own 15-point, 11-reception double-double.
Behind them was a solid supporting cast, with Beth Hilongo adding 12 points and 14 receptions, to go along with a combined 19-point effort from middle blockers Marga Altea (10 points) and the returning Em Banagua (9 points).
Reyes believes that UST already has the talent to compete for a championship, and it’s only a matter of accompanying that with poise and maturity in crunch time. If anything, it’s this very poise that allowed NU to pull away in Set 5, unleashing a huge 8-2 run to dash any comeback hopes from UST.
“So sabi ko nga sa kanila, championship material tayo, pero ang dami pa nating dapat ayusin. Hindi na sa volleyball skills minsan eh, it’s more on ‘yung tayuan and kung sino talaga ‘yung tayo pa lang, matibay na. So ganon si NU, na talagang hinahawakan nila ‘yung pagiging beterano nila, and gusto kong i-complement ‘yung mga seniors nila,” the longtime Tigresses tactician said of their Jhocson-based foes.
As mentioned, UST will now turn their attention to their playoff for number 2 against the Lady Spikers, which will be another battle of familiarity between the two storied programs. Save for the entry of several key rookies, it’s still the same set of key players who will lock horns for a coveted twice-to-beat advantage.
Given this sense of familiarity, Reyes stressed that heart and grit will just be as important at this point of the UAAP volleyball calendar.
“So sabi nga namin kanina, parang tibayan na lang ng isip at dibdib itong labanan pagpasok ng playoffs eh, and meant na i-showcase talaga namin ‘yung UST and La Salle showdown,” said Reyes. “We’re looking forward [para sa] mga bata, kasi good experience ito para sa lahat.”
“So ngayon, more exposure, and malaking tulong for both teams pagpasok ng [Final Four], so we’re happy na nakaabot kami sa ganitong situation and hopefully maitawid namin, which is ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung gagawin namin.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.