IN a rare moment, La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus granted an interview to reporters as the Lady Spikers' season in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament started on a losing note.
The Lady Spikers stayed inside the team dugout at the Mall of Asia Arena after their opening straight-sets loss to defending champion National University.
Once the doors finally opened, it was, surprisingly, no other than de Jesus who emerged, and, in an even bigger surprise, he opened up to questions from reporters.
READ NU Lady Bulldogs flex championship muscle in sweep of La Salle
“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, first time ko (in over a decade) na matalo sa opening game sa 28 years ko sa UAAP,” said de Jesus, who for much of the past few seasons usually sent one of his deputies to do the post-game interviews, win or lose.
"Sabi ko, ‘Sa batch niyo pa nangyari.’ Medyo masakit," he added.
He might’ve gotten his facts wrong since the loss to NU wasn't his first season-opening defeat in his 28-year coaching career, since the Lady Spikers lost to the UST Tigresses back in the Season 75 opener in five sets.
But his candor was still a breath of fresh air, even after the defeat.
“Kailangan ko ring intindihin mo ‘yung side ng mga bata," said the multi-titled coach, refusing to pin the blame on his players. "Mahirap ‘yun. Alam naman natin na lahat gusto manalo eh. Siguro mas gusto lang manalo ng NU kanina.”
Although disappointed with the defeat, RDJ also knows the real battleground that mattered most for a 12-time champion like him isn’t the elimination round nor the Final Four but the finals.
He intends to be there.
“Wake-up call ‘to sa kanina. Lahat naman kapag bagong team sa bagong generation, mataas ‘yung expectations kasi La Salle pa rin eh. Dahil may Shevana Laput ka, may Angel Canino ka, mataas ‘yung expectation,” said RDJ.
“‘Yung totoong laban, kapag umabot ka na ng finals, hindi dito sa eliminations. Importante lang na igapang natin na makapasok sa top two, top four," he said. “Du’n siguro, unti-unti nang magkaka-kumpyansa ‘yung mga bata.”
His parting note perfectly encapsulated the wisdom of a champion coach who’s built and ran a sporting dynasty for 28 years and counting.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, wala namang natatalo sa game eh. Alam mong natalo ka, pero natuto ka. ‘Yun ‘yung importante na natalo ka, natuto ka,” de Jesus said.
“Kung natalo ka tapos wala kang natututunan, talagang talo ka. Importante, natalo ka at may natutunan ka sa pagkatalo mo at ready kang i-correct ‘yun sa mga susunod na games.”
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