FEU setter Angelica Cayuna. Randolph B. Leongson/INQUIRER.net
Thrusted into the spotlight with the graduation of setter Gyzelle Sy, Angelica Cayuna admitted feeling the pressure as she started for FEU in its debut in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference.
“Medyo pressured talaga. Nung first set, kinakabahan pa ako kasi first time ko mag-starting setter,” she said.
But as the game went on, Cayuna calmed herself and played her game, completing 19 excellent sets to help the Lady Tamaraws score a 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 victory over St. Benilde on Monday.
“Nasanay na din ako. Hirap pa ako dati, pero nung tumagal, naging ok na rin ako,” she said.
Despite feeling the nerves, the 17-year-old Cayuna heeded the call of coach Shaq delos Santos as FEU tries to move on without Sy.
“Tinutukan talaga ako ni coach,” she said. “Lagi nya akong sinasabihan na kung ano yung galaw ko sa ensayo, yun din ang dapat na maging galaw ko sa game.”
Cayuna also got the blessing of Sy, who told her to continue striving for excellence to help the Lady Tamaraws in their coming games.
“Sinabihan din ako ni ate Gyzelle na galingan ko sa mga susunod na laro. Binilin nya lang yung mga galawan as a setter.”
The sophomore setter’s responsibilities are also bound to get bigger, as fellow setter Kyle Negrito is also expected to miss a couple of games due to her obligations with Petron in the Philippine Superliga. But Cayuna expressed her readiness for the challenge as she hopes to build on to her decent showing against the Lady Blazers.
“Kaming dalawa ni ate Kyle, ginagawa lang namin yung best namin every game,” she said. “Ang gusto lang naman namin, makatulong sa team para maiangat namin ang FEU.”