MUNTINLUPA – Never in his wildest dreams that Cignal coach Edgar Barroga would be up against his daughter Gyra in a volleyball match - and the proud father was pleased of what he saw.
Coming into the game, Edgar was fully aware of what’s at stake – an outright semifinal berth in the Philippine Super Liga Invitational Conference if he beats Gyra’s Cocolife team.
It was a crucial match, but the father-daughter tandem just enjoyed the game, which eventually went to HD Spikers, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22, on Saturday at Muntinlupa Sports Center.
“Actually hindi (ko naisip makaharap si Gyra), kung sakali mang mangyari ‘yun magkasama kami (sa isang team),” said Edgar.
“Natutuwa ako kasi parang challenged rin siya kanina, the way she played a while ago parang nakita ko ‘yung ang lakas niyang pumalo,” he added.
No matter how close they are, Edgar meant business and his marching order was to deny every possible Cocolife attack.
“Plano naming isara ‘yung blockings, ‘yun ‘yung plano namin. Ang sabi ko sa players ko ito ang gawin niyo, isara niyo ‘to, bahala na ‘yung depensa sa gilid kasi may nakapwesto doon,” he said.
But after the game, all was well between Edgar and Gyra.
“Sabi niya (after the game), ako walang hug? So hinug ko siya, sweet ‘yun eh,” he said.
Cignal swept Pool B to earn an outright semis spot, while Cocolife slid to 1-3 and will face University of the Philippines-UAI in the classification match.