Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro: Don’t count my outside hitters out

Oliver Almadro. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro had a simple message for his team’s doubters.

The Lady Eagles were on the brink of defeat when they trailed two sets to none against Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

That was until the former two-time champions dug deep and showed to the volleyball-watching community just how tough their team is to eventually take the win, 14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-12.

“People shouldn’t count my outside hitters out, I know my outside hitters are beginners but they lifted us today,” said Almadro. “Jules (Samonte) and Ponggay (Gaston) are silent killers for today and people will really count them out but I believe in them.”

“People will really count Dani [Ravena] out but I believe in her, people will really count out our receive and defense but I believe in them. That’s the most important thing, we must believe in our skills and believe in our fundamentals. Believe in what we’re preparing for.”

Samonte and Gaston teamed up in the Lady Eagles’ fightback in the fourth set with the two finishing with a combined 16 points after the match.

The Lady Eagles, though, relied heavily on Kat Tolentino, who scored just two points in the first two sets but finished with a total of 19.

“It’s really trusting the fundamentals, we already have the skills, the players are already equipped with the skills we just have to believe that they have it,” said Almadro.

The Lady Eagles’ spirited comeback earned them a 2-1 record to tie University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines in second place.