Even the most seasoned teams succumb to pressure once in a while.
Coach Odjie Mamon admitted that University of Santo Tomas' Tigresses, who are no strangers to the finals stage, uncharacteristically wilted under the pressure when they lost Game Two of the Shakey's V-League Season 9 First Conference series to the Ateneo Lady Eagles.
“Pinressure nila sarili nila,” Mamon said after the 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 28-26 win by the lady Eagles that sent the best-of-three series to a winner-take-all Game Three.
“Ayaw nila magkamali kaya ayaw nila kumuha ng bola. Kulang kami sa continuation play sa transition. Masyadong naging predictable yung opensa namin."
Mamon also rued the 25 errors the Tigresses made in the game, some of them coming in a crucial stretch in the third set when they allowed Ateneo to come back from a 15-20 deficit.
The good news for the multi-titled Tigresses is that they have five days to try and shake off the bitter taste of the defeat and prepare for the deciding game on Sunday where another capacity crowd is expected at the San Juan Arena.
“Hopefully, ma-refresh sila. Gagamitin namin ‘yung four days in preparation for Sunday’s game,” Mamon said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
