WHEN Ramil de Jesus faced reporters in a rare chance interview after La Salle’s rare opening-day loss to National U, he broke down the evolving landscape of college volleyball today — one defined by recruitment over development.
“Kapag medyo active ka sa pagre-recruit, ‘yung lahat ng Class A na players, nakukuha mo, advantage sa team ‘yun,” RDJ said. “Pero kung kukuha ka ng mga Class B na napakahirap i-develop at isabay sa mga Class A, mahabang proseso.”
READ: Ramil de Jesus opens up after La Salle season opens on losing note
Seven days later, as the Lady Spikers vented their ire on Adamson in straight sets, de Jesus didn’t have to look too far to see their rediscovered A-game, as he leaned on two of the finest ‘Class A players’ he’s ever had: Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan.
Canino bounced back from the ‘worst game of her career’ with a 15-point, 6-dig double-double, while senior Malaluan fired the game-winner to cap her 16-point, 5-reception night.
The former UAAP rookie-MVP bared how such a commanding response from the NU loss was made possible by first letting the defeat sting, then drawing strength from the scars and lessons that followed.
READ: How Canino moved forward from 'worst game of career'
“Kung nasa isip mo na natalo ka nu’ng first game, parang hindi ka makaka-move forward sa kung ano pang pwede mong gawin sa next games,” Canino said.
“Nu’ng day na ‘yon, dinamdam namin (‘yung pagkatalo) as a team and as individuals, pero kailangan naming mag-move forward. Kung anumang nangyari nu’ng first game namin, kailangang i-stop na namin ‘yung mga negative na comments na narinig namin or yung negative thoughts na meron kami.”
READ: Resurgent Alleiah Malaluan eager to prove her and La Salle's doubters wrong
Malaluan added: “During that day, nandu’n ‘yung pain, pero at the same time, sabi nga ni coach, walang natatalo, lahat may natututunan kami. So, we don’t consider that as a loss kasi nga may natutunan kami.”
Fall once, stand up twice
It won’t always be everyone’s A-game in every game.
But when backed against the wall, de Jesus wants his young wards to learn how to breathe and regroup by themselves to restore that championship-caliber confidence La Salle - being 12-time UAAP champions - has always been known for.
"Kulang namin is kumpyansa pa. Sa first game namin, medyo nagkulang sa paniniwala sa sarili and sa team," de Jesus said.
"May mga natutunan naman ‘yung mga bata na kailangan nila ma-overcome ‘yung pressure, nandiyan naman palagi ‘yun eh.
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