TWO UAAP coaches admitted they were caught off-guard by the sudden change in the schedule of the start of the eliminations' second round in the Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament.
The collegiate league on Monday released its schedule of matches for the second round that indicated a Wednesday start instead of Saturday that it earlier announced.
National University coach Roger Gorayeb admitted the Lady Bulldogs were not fully-prepared for their game against Adamson, having done only light workouts at the end of their first-round campaign to give his players the much-needed rest.
Instead, Gorayeb said he had to fast-track the team’s preparation for the Lady Falcons.
“Hindi kami naka-prepare kasi sabi sa akin nung Sunday, Sabado ‘yung laro. Kaya nung Monday, weights lang kami, takbo takbo lang,” said Gorayeb.
“Pagdating ng hapon, alas-quatro ata, sinabi na Miyerkules na daw ‘yung game. Ano ang gagawin ko, wala naman akong choice,” he said.
[See NU makes it back-to-back wins, heap more misery on winless Adamson]
La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus said he was left in the same predicament, revealing he wasn’t able to give the Lady Spikers their usual pre-match routine going into the game against Far Eastern University.
“Medyo na-late ‘yung bigay ng schedule. Halos Monday na ng 5 p.m. na kami na-inform na may game kami. Supposedly kasi kapag ganun, medyo may konting strengthening ‘yung team. Hindi kami nakapag-strengthening ng husto,” said De Jesus.
Despite the brief preparation, the Lady Bulldogs made short work of the Lady Falcons, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19, to open the second round with a victory.
Gorayeb, however, said he was not fully satisfied with the play of the Lady Bulldogs, but refused to blame the late change in schedule as the reason for the lackluster performance.
“Hindi ganun ka-ayos ‘yung linaro nila ngayon eh. I expect them to be stronger than that. No need to tell them,” said Gorayeb.
La Salle, meantime, showed up still in top form, holding FEU to just five points in the first set to win the match, 25-5, 25-23, 25-23.
But De Jesus refused to say that the Lady Spikers dominated the match.
“Siguro marami ring naging problema ang FEU nung first set,” said De Jesus.