REGINE Diego maintained that National University’s decisions at the setter spot are rooted in objectivity.
Amid outside noise surrounding the minutes of veteran playmaker Lams Lamina, the NU head coach stressed that such choices come down to performance and team fit, not personal preference alone.
READ Lamina after first full game for NU: 'Let's appreciate sino naglalaro sa loob'
“As a coach, we have to be very objective all the time,” Diego said.
While Lamina’s resumé makes a strong case, Diego made it clear that the same standard applies to third-year setter Abe Pono, whose contributions have been just as vital this season.
“We cannot discredit lahat ng efforts ng mga tao and we need to make sure na malinis lang kami every game, and ‘yung connection talaga namin, 100 percent all the time,” she added.
“At least nakukuha na namin ngayon ‘yung pag-jell, ‘yung chemistry, and hopefully, mas malinis pa namin in the future especially with the setter and their connection with the spikers.”
Lamina or Pono?
National U's straight-sets win over Adamson marked Lamina’s third start of the season, but more notably, her first full game running the offense from start to finish.
It took 11 games into a 14-game elimination round for the two-time UAAP best setter to get that full run in a vital campaign where the Lady Bulldogs are chasing an elusive three-peat.
Still, Diego stood by her acumen.
“Coaches’ decision naman siya [to start Lamina over Pono], pero siyempre, why ruin something good, ‘di ba? Maganda ‘yung nilalaro ni Lams so bakit tayo [mag-iiba?],” she said.
“Okay naman si Abe rin, also. For sure, she’s going to play well din if she was there. But for now, Lams is working with everyone and the connection is perfect.”
For Diego, the equation is simple. As long as the system works and the Lady Bulldogs keep stringing together wins, the identity of the setter becomes secondary.
“The win of one is the win of all," she said.
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