KAT Tolentino said anxiety got the better of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the tough early clash with rival La Salle in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
Last season’s best opposite hitter, Tolentino credited La Salle for a well-planned defense while admitting that Ateneo simply could not adjust quickly enough.
“They clearly scouted us a lot better. I just learned from how the game went. They had very good defense and I think we just were a little more impatient,” Tolentino said.
The graduating hitter also vowed to do better after a huge dip in her output — from the 15-point performance with 12 kills against University of the Philippines to the measly six points against La Salle.
“For me, I'll learn to have more patience in my hitting and focus on that first.”
Tolentino lauded Faith Nisperos and Jho Maraguinot for providing the offense as she struggled. They were able to tie the match in the second set but the Lady Spikers led by Tin Tiamzon, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Thea Gagate were simply on a different level that day.
“I really saw the fight in the team. I saw how badly we wanted it and I could see that we do have the skill but it's just sometimes we get caught up with all the people in the crowd,” Tolentino said.
“We forget about our own side I think sometimes we focus too much on the La Salle side, but the second set was really good to see and I'm just happy with the way that other people performed from the team.”
The last time Tolentino won against La Salle was still in 2017 during the second round of Season 79 eliminations.
But Tolentino noted they can’t dwell on the loss and need to focus on the next match, against University of the Philippines on Wednesday.
“I mean it's the start of the season, I'm just looking at ways that we can learn from it and we can improve from this game,” Tolentino said.