Aduke Ogunsanya and the Lady Spikers hope to rise from their first back-to-back defeats when they take on the Lady Warriors on Saturday. —Sherwin Vardeleon
By the time UST’s inspired Tigresses were done inflicting a straight-sets schooling on La Salle on Wednesday, the defending champions Lady Spikers were thrust into an unfamiliar situation.
They suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in four seasons in UAAP women’s volleyball and suddenly, there are questions on La Salle’s ability to win the crown for a fourth straight year.
Those, however, who are privy to what goes on behind the veil of secrecy that traditionally shrouds the Lady Spikers’ program know that this is only a minor hiccup that La Salle can easily overcome.
Mika Reyes, once the team’s star middle blocker, sees no reason to panic.
“Knowing coach Ramil [de Jesus], I know he can guide the team and make sure they are on the right path,” said the Petron star in the Philippine Superliga.
Successive losses to UP and UST have raised some concern among fans and supporters, but Reyes said a lot of the apprehension comes from the success the Lady Spikers have had.
“People aren’t used to seeing La Salle losing back-to-back games,” Reyes told the Inquirer. “So I think they expect too much from the team, [considering] that La Salle lost several seniors from last season.”
“It’s just the first round,” Reyes added. “The young players have to step up and use this as a learning experience.”
The Lady Spikers have a relatively easy schedule on tap as they try to snap their skid when they face the struggling Lady Warriors of UE.