EVEN the absence of La Salle's star spiker Angel Canino won't dim such a bright and brave performance from the young guns of the University of the East, who, despite having a losing record (2-8), pushed the reigning UAAP women's volleyball champions to the limit.
Although their passionate performance may have fallen short, sophomore sensation Khy Cepada and freshman Casiey Dongallo scored 43 points between them to set a new standard for what the Lady Warriors can accomplish going forward.
READ: La Salle pulls off another close win in Angel Canino's absence
"I'm just very happy with the way they played. It could’ve gone either way in the first set, we were up by a couple of points. Then La Salle, the team that they are, pulled it together and came back. But generally, overall, I’m happy with the performance for our first year together with many rookies.
"Looking forward to playing like this hopefully all the time against the remaining teams we’re going to play. Sana dire-diretso. I’m very proud of them — the way Khy (Cepada) played, all the players," said UE deputy coach Obet Vital.
From Dongallo's record-setting string of breakout performances to head coach Jerry Yee's shock three-month UAAP suspension, Season 86 has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster for a rebuilding UE side.
Although a Final Four berth may soon be out of reach with just two wins as the season hits its home stretch, Vital takes pride in the fact that the sky's still the limit for a young Lady Warriors side that has already made great strides in such short a time.
"We should continue to see them rise and finish strong. That’s what we’re hoping for. Again, we came here to make history. I’m happy we did well. Could’ve been better, could’ve had a bonus, almost, but this is now our baseline. I’m hoping that they maintain this for the rest (of the season) and set the tone."
Vital added: "The good news is Khy played well. Bad news is she cannot go lower than that standard because I know she can do it just like the other players."
UE on the rise
Following a rookie season of promise and potential, Cepada had a huge confidence boost not only with her game-high 23-piece but with what the rest of her squad can still show from here on out.
"'Yung thoughts ko lang po sa game ay kaya ko naman po pala. Kaya ko naman palang sumabay sa mga teammates ko. Actually, kaya ko rin namang maging ahead sa kanila. Parang sinasabi ko na sa sarili ko na kailan pa ako magse-step up? Kailan pa?
"These past few games, parang sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na 'bakit hirap na hirap ka pumuntos, hirap na hirap kang ilabas kung anong meron sayo.' I can do more pa po. Just like Doc Obet (Vital), hindi ko po bababaan kung ano yung expectations na sinet ko. Dapat mas lalamangan ko pa."
Cepada also shared a rather interesting encounter upon entering the Big Dome to take on the Lady Spikers - one that she won't forget anytime soon.
"Pagdating ko po dito, parang sabi nung kuya cameraman na interview raw po. One of the questions ay facing La Salle, ano yung expectations namin? Sinabi ko po na since last na po namin na makakalaban yung La Salle this season, we’ll give it our all na pahirapan sila o manggulo sa standings.
And UE did just that.
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