It cannot be argued that rookies have to make a good first impression in the UAAP, and in the league’s 80th season one newcomer took the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on an iconic coach.
Shrouded in the epic five-set match between defending champion De La Salle and University of Santo Tomas, that ended in a 25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 15-25, 15-8 victory for the Lady Archers, Golden Tigress rookie Melina Alessandrini left Ramil De Jesus in wonder.
De Jesus, who guided La Salle to 11 championships, said Alessandrini still had butterflies in her stomach but La Salle’s mentor is confident the UST rookie will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.
“It’s just her first game, maybe she still has the first-game jitters but just give her more time and it would be difficult to stop her,” said De Jesus in Filipino Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Alessandrini finished with 18 points and displayed a ground defense rarely seen from a 6-foot-1 player.
And with the help of an interpreter, Alessandrini thanked the longtime La Salle coach of the praise she’s earned.
“I want to thank him because he believes in me even though this was just my first game,” said Alessandrini through the interpreter. “I know I will still have to adjust because this was my first game and this is my first time playing in front of this big of a crowd.”
De Jesus added Alessandrini just has to adjust to the Philippine game to help her complete her transition in the UAAP.
“I know she’ll be able to adjust,” said De Jesus.