BY Andrei Barrantes
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas just couldn’t catch a break.
After losing Jonna Perdido (ACL) and Xyza Gula (tailbone fracture) before UAAP Season 87 even started, down went another Golden Tigress in Kyla Cordora on Saturday.
The rookie spiker twisted her ankle after landing on the foot of teammate Blessing Unekwe in the second set of their triumph over University of the East.
READ: Behind Jurado and Poyos, UST takes out frustrations on UE
Despite all the lineup subtractions for a black-and-gold squad itching to make another finals run, it’s far from time to pull the plug in the eyes of assistant coach Yani Fernandez.
“Ang sabi naman namin is ang volleyball ay 14-man lineup. Lahat naman ng per position, may naka-backup dyan. Lagi naman namin sila nire-remind na nilagay naman sila dyan with purpose," he said, talking in place of shot-caller Kungfu Reyes who had to go straight to the airport for Chery Tiggo's clash with Choco Mucho in Passi City, Iloilo.
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"So tiwala lang. Magtiwala kayo sa sarili niyo, magtiwala kayo sa teammates niyo tsaka sa system.”
Although Cordora marks the third injured outside hitter for UST, Fernandez showed no frustration and rather lauded the squad’s dynamic players who can shift positions when needed.
“Sa mga middle namin, apat. Sa outside hitter, apat. Almost lahat ng wing spiker namin, nag-aadjust yan, pwede maglaro sa outside, pwede maglaro sa opposite. So titignan na lang namin kung anong magandang timpla sa training, kung sino mas magje-gel na anim,” he elaborated.
Deja vu for UST
While Cordora isn't a star who moves the needle for the España squad just yet, she is still another key loss for the ailing Tigresses, who have had to deal with unfortunate injuries to their lower body time and time again in recent memory.
Back in Season 86, it was Angge Poyos during the finals - and if you turn back the clock even more, the Laure sisters also got bad injury luck in Seasons 79 and 81.
Despite the obvious history, however, Cordora’s case is slightly different, as Poyos and the Laures sustained their injuries towards the latter part of the season.
The current tournament is only in its second game, giving UST more time to adjust and recalibrate its lineups, while also opening the door for a late-season comeback for its promising rookie.
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