WITH National University starting to run away from the rest of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball field, La Salle knew it had to set a realistic and attainable goal the rest of the way.
It’s not often one would hear such a declaration from 12-time UAAP champion coach in La Salle’s Ramil de Jesus, but with the understanding of where the young Lady Spikers are from a competitive standpoint, the mission is clear — end the second round with the second spot.
READ: Reyes sets up La Salle clean sweep of archrival Ateneo
“Ito talaga yung goal namin hawakan namin yung second (spot) hanggang sa dulo para at least, makuha namin yung twice-to-beat advantage,” said de Jesus.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy nga kasi talaga namang ito yung isa sa goals namin."
Over the last 14 seasons, La Salle finished the elimination round either in first or second place in 12 previous occasions.
The last time the Lady Spikers missed out on a coveted twice-to-beat bonus? Just last year in Season 87 where they settled for their first bronze-medal finish in five seasons after being dispatched by twice-to-beat University of Santo Tomas in one game.
Since Round 1, RDJ was one to lament the absence of a sharp playmaker that has produced a negative ripple effect on the team’s start to Season 87.
It even led to La Salle’s worst opening three-game stretch to a season in nearly two decades after losing two of their three openers.
At least for now, with four prelims matches still to come, de Jesus is steadily seeing signs of promise on how the Lady Spikers are starting to clean up their act — highlighted by rookie setter Mikole Reyes’ 19 excellent sets in a 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 sweep over second-round arch-rival Ateneo.
“Binibigyan talaga namin ng oras sa training yung mga setters. Gusto naming magka-kumpiyansa sila. Hindi kasi makukuha ng isang game lang yung kumpiyansa para magkaroon ng maayos na thinking or diskarte doon sa loob ng laro.
“Talagang kailangan pang pagbuhusan ng oras sa training dahil unti-unting nagiging maganda yung resulta."
RDJ added: “Kailangang ma-maximize din yung gitna (middle blockers). Kung nakikita niya yung situation na bagay doon sa middle, sinusubo niya doon sa middle and then nag-wowork naman."
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