LA SALLE spent the last few seasons searching for a steady hand at setter, one capable of bringing order rather than inconsistency to its offense.
At one point, the Lady Spikers even resorted to rotating three playmakers in a single match, an unorthodox setup rarely seen at the collegiate or professional level.
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That was essentially the story of their Season 87 campaign, when now-Nxled setter Jules Tolentino, along with Mikole Reyes and Ela Raagas, took turns orchestrating the offense.
None, however, provided the consistency needed to firmly claim the starting role under veteran coach Ramil de Jesus.
Even former La Salle setters Julia Coronel and Mars Alba faced similar challenges in previous seasons before elevating their games with Alas Pilipinas and in the PVL with Galeries Tower and Akari, respectively.
Typically, a team relies on a primary setter to run the offense for most of the match, with a backup stepping in sporadically for relief or to provide support in specific areas such as service and net defense.
In Season 88, however, La Salle may have finally found a solution to its long-standing playmaking dilemma.
Rookie setter Eshana Nunag, a product of La Salle’s senior high school program in Taft, has impressed in the Lady Spikers’ first two sweep victories.
She recorded 12 excellent sets against FEU on opening day and followed it up with 16 against UST, while also contributing a pair of three-point performances.
For the former National University Nazareth School standout, her UAAP seniors debut served as a baptism of fire that revealed the demands of competing at the highest level of collegiate volleyball in the country, especially for a 12-time champion program.
“Napakita na po sa akin, compared po sa [first game against] FEU, kung paano nga po ‘yung UAAP,” said Nunag.
“I have something to expect po coming into the game. And coming from the last game nga po, naging goal ko na po talaga is to improve more and to learn more.”
System-savvy setter
Her growing confidence is evident not only in her numbers but also in her familiarity with the system.
La Salle head coach Noel Orcullo noted that Nunag has spent the past two years training with the team, learning the intricacies of the program’s system under de Jesus.
“Si Eshana naman, hindi na bago sa amin eh. Since senior high school, nagte-training na siya sa amin. Maaga namin siyang na-incorporate sa sistema ni Coach Ramil,” said Orcullo.
“Kailangan lang talagang ma-expose pa para masanay pa talaga sa ganitong labanan. ‘Yung adjustments, nandu’n naman na ‘yan since senior high so nakapag-adjust na siya sa’min.”
With her steady start, the question now is whether Nunag can become the long-term answer at setter for La Salle, following in the footsteps of program greats such as Chie Saet and Kim Fajardo.
Orcullo sure hopes so.
“Talagang nakikita naman na namin ‘yung steadiness niya since the opening game na nakakasabay siya sa mga setters na beterano,” he said.
“I hope magtuloy-tuloy pa and hopefully, ito na ‘yung hinahanap namin na pinaka-stable na setter for the rest of this tournament.”
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