UNIVERSITY of the Philippines’ Ayel Estrañero and Diana Carlos believe the Lady Maroons have adjusted quickly to the new system and can challenge for the semifinals in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament.
Godfrey Okumu was tapped last November to as UP coach after Jerry Yee stepped down in July, athough the Lady Maroons are no longer strangers to the system of the Kenyan, who had conducted training camps for the team in the past years.
“It's a new system and a totally different coaching style, so there are adjustments, there are certain difficulties in adjusting,” said Estrañero, a fourth year setter.
“But I guess the team generally is adapting well or as much as they could, they're trying to internalize everything that coach is telling us everyday or trying to teach us everyday,” she added.
Third year Carlos said the team is doubling its efforts, with the UAAP all set to start on February 3.
“Though dati pa, nakikipag-training na siya sa amin pero iba pa rin kasi pag tutok talaga ‘yung training,” she said. “Almost two months pa lang naman siya dito, so tina-try naman naming ihabol.”
UP aims to get back on the Final Four after a disappointing sixth place finish last year.
“Syempre every team naman gusto muna Final Four. Pag nakapasok sa Final Four, dun na lang natin titingnan kung anoíng mangyayari,” said Carlos.
UP will face University of the East on February 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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