Lady Maroons still feel jitters amid breakout season, says coach

UP Lady Maroons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the Philippines emerged as the unlikely contender for the title as the Lady Maroons evened their season series with Ateneo.

Against De La Salle, however, it was the girls in green that always had the laugh against UP.

Their first meeting in the first round ended in a four-setter loss for the Lady Maroons and their second one of the season was no different.

Lady Maroons head coach Jerry Yee, despite holding the third-best record in the league, said his team has strides to improve when it comes to composure.

“Natataranta pa kami, we have to improve on that,” Yee said Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

UP got the first set against La Salle in commanding fashion, 25-18, but slowly saw its foundation crumble as the Lady Spikers bombarded them in the next three, 25-12, 25-18, 25-21.

Missed chances constantly plagued the Lady Maroons especially in the fourth set when they had several opportunities for clean attacks.

Those moments, though, became fleeting free balls after a sets went unnoticed giving La Salle an easier time on defense.

“No, I’m not satisfied [despite getting the first set],” Yee said whose team is at at third with a 6-4 record. “Discussion namin kanina ayusin ang first ball, yung reception at set, obviously di naayos, simple sana yung task, yun lang ang usapan namin, maayos yun. Manalo, matalo okay lang.”

He added his team easily allows the joy of winning take them by the hand which made them prone to La Salle’s counter offensive.

“Laging ganun eh, you ride an emotional high tapos mag ka crash ka, lalo na sa mga bata,” Yee said.