Verzosa provides firepower, leadership in JRU triumph
Dolly Grace Verzosa doesn’t feel comfortable barking orders inside the court. But on Thursday afternoon, when the game was on the line, the first-time team captain didn’t hesitate calling the shots inside the court for her young, inexperienced Jose Rizal teammates.
“Every time there is a crucial play I would ask them ‘Do you want to win?’” Verzosa said. “Our coach kept telling us that the team that remains standing is that one which wants to win. So when I asked the players inside the court, they responded well.”
The open spiker also led by example, scoring 21 points as JRU nipped San Sebastian, 22-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-21, 15-8, to kick-start its campaign in the 95th NCAA women’s volleyball at Filoil Flying V Centre.
“My problem is that sometimes I feel I’m still young and need more maturity to lead the team and tell everyone what they should do,” said Verzosa, a management junior. “But today I felt committed to becoming the captain.”
Jose Rizal coach Ma. Anna Tioseco said that even with a young squad, composed of three sophomores and a few more freshmen, the Lady Bombers are looking at making the semifinals at the very least this season.
“Hopefully from here we build toward that goal,” said Tioseco, whose charges finished fifth last year. “We would need to focus more on defense and communication inside the court.”
The latter falls heavily on Verzosa’s shoulders.
Fortunately, when pushed to the wall, Verzosa found reliable help from teammates Sydney Niegos, Risa Rose and Renesa Melgar, who all turned in double-digit outputs.
Niegos chipped in 13 points, while Rose and Melgar added 12 and 11, respectively, for the Lady Bombers.
Later, three-time defending champion Arellano scored its second win in a row after ripping Mapua, 25-13, 25-20, 25-12.
Regine Arocha once again led Arellano with 19 points, while Princess Bello and Carla Donato chipped in seven markers apiece.
Sarah Princess Verutiao, Mikaela Juanich and Necole Ebuen contributed six points apiece for the Lady Chiefs, who finally flashed their championship form.
“Compared to our game last week, this was a better performance,” said Obet Javier, Arellano’ coach. “Because this time the players were up to task.”
