UE captain Shaya Adorador. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of the East head coach Francis Vicente issued his team captain Shaya Adorador a challenge, and that was to show the UAAP that she can roll with the best.
“I hope she learns to become a better leader,” said Vicente. “She’s good but she doesn’t know it.”
On Sunday, Adorador did just that.
Adorador led the Lady Warriors with 23 points in their four-set win over listless Adamson University, 25-22, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18, to end their first round campaign at Mall of Asia Arena.
“Coach Francis berated me for not being able to play on a high level, and I used that as an inspiration because he just wanted me to be better and get out of my comfort zone,” said Adorador in Filipino as UE notched its first win after a 0-6 start.
“He wanted a better Shaya Adorador,” she added.
UE’s captain was averaging measly 9.5 points in her first six games and her 23-point output was her best performance this season by far.
“I was getting ashamed because this wasn’t me, and I couldn’t live up to his expectations.”