OLIVER Almadro has now stood witness to two of his players, past and present, breaking UAAP women’s volleyball records in one particular skill department — blocking.
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University of the Philippines’ second-stringer blocker Pling Baclay, filling in for the league’s best middle blocker Niña Ytang, set Season 86’s single-game blocking record with seven against University of the East in their first-round finale victory.
However, her seven-block record didn’t last for long as it only took three days for Baclay to set a new personal-best — which now stands as the season’s yardstick — of nine blocks in a four-set loss to National University.
History repeats itself
It was exactly five years ago to this day when another Almadro-coached ace blocker in Ateneo’s Maddie Madayag shattered the UAAP’s all-time single-game record with nine blocks in a five-set win over University of Sto. Tomas in Season 81.
Now at the helm in the other side of Katipunan, Almadro reflected on the parallels and distinctions between Baclay and Madayag — both of whom flexed their defensive prowess in the college ranks under the champion coach’s tutelage.
“Nakita namin [na] konti na lang, magagawa mo na ‘yung nagawa ni Maddie (na 11 blocks). But Maddie is different. Different nilalang ‘yun, talagang bato-bato ‘yun. But I know Baclay will be getting there as long as she keeps working hard and keeps herself humble,” said Almadro.
“Sabi ko naman every day, we have our specific goals na kailangan nilang makuha. Siguro yung goal niya ay na-achieve niya with the help of her teammates also, and I’m happy that Pling (Baclay) is doing well in the absence of Niña, and I really hope na mag-improve pa siya in all other aspects in skills sa volleyball.”
In only her third start for UP, the rookie isn't preoccupied with records, saying her focus in on making the most of her extended minutes and helping the Fighting Maroons improve in their rebuilding year.
“Kanina ko nalaman (agad after the game) na naka-nine blocks ako. Nag-focus lang ako kanina (sa laro) na hindi ko na iniisip na makaka-attack ako. Gusto ko lang ma-organize yung block namin. Ganun lang yung iniisip ko palagi,” said Baclay.
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