THIS season’s UAAP women’s volleyball playoffs featured the same cast of contenders.
That is, except for up-and-coming Adamson.
The youngest participants, however, also went on to be the first ones eliminated, as the Lady Falcons lost in straight sets to redemption-seeking University of Santo Tomas in the first phase of the stepladder.
READ: UST rises in stepladder after roaring past Adamson
And yet, the first-time postseason unit chose to see the silver linings in this ending.
“Ok naman yung experience,” head coach JP Yude told SPIN.ph. “Siyempre, first time na makapasok sa Final Four, pero I'm very glad na tinuruan ako ni Lord on how to respond properly to encourage and motivate pa rin yung players.”
Behind Yude and presumptive MVP Shaina Nitura and Best Setter Fhei Sagaysay, all in their second seasons for the white-and-blue in the seniors level, Adamson advanced to its first postseason in four years.
Once there, though, their inexperience clearly showed against the battle-tested Golden Tigresses, who stymied them to eight-percent attacking efficiency, with Nitura only converting 12 out of 46 attempts, as Sagaysay was limited to 11 excellent sets.
“Doon kami nahirapan. Kasi kahapon pa lang, yun na yung nangyari sa training namin,” said Yude, who mentioned that they gave extra effort in drilling themselves to face a more experienced opponent.
“Yun nga talaga, character and attitude ng mga bata, yun talaga ang binibigyan. For me, skills-wise, marami kaming lapses din kanina. Pero yun nga, on how they respond, yun nga yung napakaimportante din sa amin.”
And so, with this game being Nitura and Co.'s first collegiate playoff experience, Yude rightfully expected the nerves to be right there, no matter what their did.
More to come
Though the Lady Falcons' campaign concludes with them being on the outside looking into the picture for the podium, they have nothing to do but go back to the drawing board - now having gotten their first taste of the bigger stage and brighter lights.
“Kanina, you need to push them, to shout, so that na magising yung diwa nila. So for me, it's a very great experience na makatungtong sa Final Four sa ganitong kalaki na league," said Yude.
“Siyempre, umiyak yung mga bata. Pero siyempre, hopeful pa rin, because we are grateful na dinala kami ni Lord dito. We are hoping for the best sa mga susunod na season pa rin.”
In the end, the Adamson shot-caller is adamant they won’t just sustain this success, but they will surpass it sooner than later.
“For now. nandito kami, pero siyempre in the next years, we need to work it out talaga so that yung aim namin mag-championship, makapunta kami doon, by God's will,“ he added.
“Kasi hindi naman genie si Lord na isang kaskas mo lang, ibibigay agad sa atin. Kailangan trabahuin talaga natin every time.“
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