MORE than the defeat dealt by Adamson to an embattled University of the East side, it was the mental toll of losing a head coach which hurts most just as the erstwhile cellar-dwellers were building on its newfound mojo in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
Hours before the Lady Warriors took center court at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, the UAAP handed UE head coach Jerry Yee a three-month suspension for ‘acts inconsistent with the league's objectives.’
The league sanction took effect immediately, which barred Yee not only from the sidelines but from entering match venues altogether.
READ: Deputy coach rallies UE community against 'unjust' Jerry Yee ban
For UE super rookie and leading scorer Casiey Dongallo, whose strong run of form continued with 26 points in the four-set loss to the Lady Falcons, Yee’s projected indefinite absence has already affected the team in more ways than one.
“Nu’ng first and second set, mentally down kami. I think isa po ‘yun [Coach Jerry Yee’s suspension] sa naging dagdag sa isipin namin. But as the game flows, ‘di naman po nagkulang ‘yung coaches namin na i-remind kami to set that aside,” Dongallo said.
“We had to play our game kaya siguro nu’ng third and fourth [sets], nalalabas na namin ‘yung laro namin, pero nagkulang pa rin po talaga kami.”
Dongallo 'not surprised' by Yee ruling
The coach's predicament had resounding effects to the squad, but Dongallo admitted the entire situation surrounding Yee didn’t come as a surprise as they’ve been made aware of the possible timing in which the sanction might take effect.
“Hindi po kami masyadong na-shock sa naging balita po sa amin kasi nga may naririnig na rin kami na baka nga pag ganitong game, i-off si coach Jerry [Yee]. Nanndun po 'yung coaches namin na parang i-motivate kami na dapat hindi kami magpadala sa ganung bagay. We just have to use it as a motivation,” Dongallo bared.
Moreover, it was also an eventual team decision to have Yee’s name taped on their wrists during the Adamson match.
“Yes po, we really did that for Coach Jerry [Yee] kasi ‘yun nga po, ‘yung sabi ni Doc [Obet Vital] na parang ‘di napakinggan ‘yung side ni Coach Jerry tapos nag-desisyon na po agad sila tapos timing na timing against Adamson,” said Dongallo.
With or without Yee in the foreseeable future, Dongallo underscores how mental fortitude will be of the essence for the 1-3 (win-loss) Lady Warriors now more than ever.
“I think we just have to move forward, mag-ensayo ulit sa training, ayusin kung ano man ‘yung [dapat] ayusin, especially yung mental state namin. I think kailangan po talaga naming palakasin ‘yung utak namin, knowing na nagpadala kami sa mga nangyari sa labas,” Dongallo said.
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