MJ Igao vows Adamson will fight in UAAP Season 82

Adamson’s veteran setter MJ Igao. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines—Adamson University is heading into the UAAP Season 82 women’s volleyball tournament with a renewed confidence.

After their dreadful 2-12 campaign in Season 81, the Lady Falcons kicked off their turnaround bid by winning the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, and veteran setter MJ Igao said that’s only just the beginning.

“I can really say that yes Adamson will fight this season,” said Igao in Filipino Wednesday at Adamson University. “We’ve had three coaches and the players were able to push through with everything that has happened.”

“We’re all working to play within a system but now we’re in one where we’re playing well and I can really say we will fight, Adamson will fight.”

The Lady Falcons started Season 81 at 0-3 prompting the demotion, and eventual firing, of Air Padda.

With Adamson experiencing a slump, it hired Onyok Getigan from Kings Montessori Schools in place of Padda but that change did little to none in the improvement side with the Lady Falcons still missing out on the Final Four.

Nevertheless, current head coach Lerma Giron was able to stir Adamson to the PVL title with an eclectic mix of rookies and veterans.

Igao said that part of the resurgence is how the new system focuses equally on both the spikers and the setters.

“The difference now is the coaches are focusing on us setters and you will gain confidence from that because you’ll know they’re always there behind you,” said Igao.

Helping the team is two-time UAAP champion coach Tai Bundit who has instilled a nearly militaristic training regimen wherein every single one of the players has to complete a task perfectly before moving on or taking a break.

Bundit, an office in the Royal Thai Air Force, has injected a championship DNA that Adamson has sorely missed.

“When it comes to coach Tai, it’s always hard training but he’s also a very funny person so even if we’re fatigued he makes the atmosphere light and he lifts you to make sure you can still go on,” said Igao.

As for her personal growth, Igao said playing as a setter in her second straight year has given her the courage to be better despite the grueling sessions she and her teammates face each training session.

“This year, the coaches are really pushing you with what they want because they want fast plays and they’re always encouraging us,” said Igao. “They really want us to do what they want to happen.”