DO you want to know how Alyssa Valdez or any of her Ateneo teammates feel about the horror injury that sidelined Lady Spikers star Ara Galang?
Don't bother asking.
Members of Ateneo's unbeaten team have been ordered not to talk about the injury that sidelined the La Salle star heading to the two college rivals’ titular showdown for the UAAP women’s volleyball championship.
No less than team manager Tony Boy Liao said he issued the 'gag order' on the Lady Eagles, adding that doesn't want the players to lose their focus in their bid for back-to-back championships.
“I told them not to comment on Galang's absence,” Liao told Spin.ph.
Galang went down with an ACL and MCL injury Saturday in La Salle’s victory over National University, ruling her out of the finals showdown against the top-seeded and thrice-to-beat Lady Eagles beginning on Wednesday.
[See Mika Reyes says horror injury yet to sink in for Ara Galang: 'Kahit ako, 'di ko pa matanggap']
Liao explained that he felt focusing on the issue surrounding the absence of La Salle’s top gun could be counter-productive for the reigning champions.
“Because it might be too complacent for them (Lady Eagles),” he said. “They might be too relaxed (and feel) no more pressure.”
Despite going up against a La Salle side without its best player, Liao reminded the Lady Eagles to keep their guards up, well aware the Lady Spikers are still capable of putting up a tough stand.
“Still my team should not be very complacent even though Galang is not suiting up,” said the former national volleyball official. “Knowing DLSU, they will still be there fighting 'till the end.
“The Lady Eagles will still play with their usual intensity with or without Galang,” he added.
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