UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas coach Kungfu Reyes still could not believe that his team had beaten Natonal University in such a comprehensive fashion in their opening match of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
Naturally, UST's 25-19, 25-23, 25-22, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arenawin sent shockwaves around the league. NU, after all, is not your ordinary volleyball team, it was last year's runner-up, champion the year before, and expected to contend again this year.
But Reyes said winning was altogether not the real surprise; UST winning in straight sets was. He said the team played the way they did during practices and the players only executed what was instilled in them in the gym.
READ: UST Tigresses make strong statement with straight-sets win over NU
"Du'n sa result ng laro, nagulat ako," he said, "pero du'n sa nilaro nila, 'di na ako nagulat kasi ganun naman kami mag-ensayo. Siguro maganda lang [din] 'yung gising namin, A-game, kasi practice makes permanent. Ganun na 'yung nangyayari sa amin ngayon eh. Again, du'n sa nilaro namin, 'di ako nagugulat, du'n lang sa resulta."
"Kasi kung paano naglaro si NU, siguro masama lang 'yung gising ngayong araw. 'Yung result itself, 'yun 'yung medyo nakakagulat. Again, 'yung nilaro ng mga player namin, araw-araw naman namin nakikita 'yung ganoong galawan namin pati yung errors sa service, ganun din [na lagi] namin nakikita and hanggang ngayon, ginagawan namin ng paraan. Maswerte lang at nanalo kami ngayong araw," he added.
Luck is earned, not given
Reyes also offered a novel insight into how the Tigresses found their way to such a promising start — one which involved working hard and smart to put themselves in a position where luck can positively swing in their favor.
"Kung ano 'yung ilalabas nila, especially sa laro, talagang ginagawa namin during training. 'Yung swerte kasi, pinaghihirapan eh. Swerte kami na pinaghirapan ng mga bata kung anong meron kami."
Reyes added: "'Di man ganun karami yung inatake, pero yung sa depensa naman at the net, malaking bagay. Siyempre, yung ano rin nila, service, wala kaming tapon sa mga middle [na] napakalaking bagay sa amin,"
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