UP rookies get high praises from Army coach

Justine Dorog and Isa Molde. Photo by Jilson Tiu/INQUIRER

University of the Philippines always had that underdog atmosphere hovering its volleyball team wherever it goes.

Be it in the UAAP or in off-season leagues like the Shakey’s V-League, it is always a treat to watch UP play no matter if the Lady Maroons are on top or struggling at the bottom.
Philippine Army head coach Kung Fu Reyes can attest to that.

Reyes’ Lady Troopers have always been the powers-that-be in V-League but on Saturday, the young Lady Fighting Maroons put up a fight that left Reyes searching for answers.

“This is a young UP team, but they can deliver, other teams should never take these kids for granted,” Reyes said at San Juan Arena. “My players were pushing themselves but the kids won’t let up.”

Army won 23-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23, but UP made sure the veteran players would take notice of their young funk.

Reyes pointed out two rookies who will make UAAP their own stomping grounds, Maria Molde and Justine Dorog.

“They have players like Molde and Dorog who have yet to play a single minute in the UAAP and they’re out there playing like veterans,” Reyes said. “They will have contemporaries, but these kids are on a different level.”