Kungfu Reyes sticks to positives as UST Tigresses exceed expectations

UST coach: 'No one expected na kami ang kami ang aabot ng Finals'
May 18, 2019
PHOTO: jerome ascaƱo

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas coach Kungfu Reyes remained grateful for reaching the finals of the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament and for getting the community together along the way.

The outspoken mentor composed himself shortly after UST bowed to Ateneo, 17-25, 22-25, 22-25, in Game Three on Saturday at the MOA Arena.

Reyes, whose team had to hurdle challenges from finishing seventh last season - UST’s worst finish in the final four era, held his head high and chose to be positive.

“‘Yun ang magandang problema sa amin na next year yung mga naka-experience ng Finals siguro madadala namin ‘yung great learning experience namin this season na no one expected na kami ang aabot ng Finals,” he said.

“Aayaw pa ba kami noon? Kasi dati nga nasa seventh place kami, sa sixth place, hanggang third,” he added. “ Pero sa pagpupursige ni Sisi [Rondina] umabot kami ng Finals.”

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Seven of the 14-woman line up were rookies, midway in the season, Fil-Italian spiker Milena Alessandrini went down with an ACL injury, and in Game Two of the best-of-three finals series, prolific freshman Eya Laure sustained a left ankle sprain.

The Tigresses were two sets away from the title but the Lady Eagles pushed them to their limits and forced a winner-take all series decider.

But the fourth year Tigresses coach accepted their fate without reservations.

“‘Yun lang wala eh, na-injure ‘yung mga scorers namin, nung second game supposedly different story kung buo kami na naglalaro na walang nararamdaman na iba. Ganun talaga it happened for a reason, it happened for a reason,” he said.

“Dati naman wala kami rito. May 1 pa lang bakasyon na kami. Pero ngayon third week ng May naglalaro pa rin tayo. ‘Yun ang magandang naidulot though hindi namin natapos on a high note pero thankful pa rin kami na nandito kami sa Finals,” he said.

Reyes also did not forget to thank the UST community, whose suport never wavered from start to finish.

“We’re very proud kasi nandyan na ang community ng UST. Nagbabalikan na sila so ito na pala ang team namin ulit namin,” he said.

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PHOTO: jerome ascaƱo
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