F2 Logistics star Kalei Mau. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics star Kalei Mau is staying positive amid the circumstances her team is facing in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Mau’s 20-point PVL debut was spoiled by Chery Tiggo with a 23-25, 21-25, 22-25 win as the Cargo Movers missed the services of Lindsay Stalzer and libero Dawn Macandili on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
But the Filipino-American spiker is taking their first loss in stride, believing they will bounce back stronger despite their biggest adjustments of converting Aby Marano and Ara Galang as their liberos.
“One thing about this sport is you got to make adjustments and I have faith in my teammates that we’re gonna be able to make those adjustments and feel each other’s roles like all of us have individual roles that we have to know so, of course, it’s a little tense, it’s a little new, but it’s the best game to kinda do that,” said Mau after the loss.
“The first one is always like the ones where you can’t bear the ground and figure out what you need to work on,” she added.
Despite the defeat, Mau lauded Galang and Marano for thriving in their new roles, especially the veteran middle blocker, who remained a vocal leader in the back row.
“Awesome. I love that they got to step up to roles that they would never even imagine being in,” said Mau. “I’m super happy that Aby is able to kinda like be another voice behind me even though she’s not at the net with me. Her energy is a big loss that we don’t have right now but it’s kinda nice to have her behind me when I’m hitting, it’s just a little bit extra fire.”
The prolific outside hitter is just happy to be back home for the first time since last year’s PNVF Champions League.
“It’s great. This is also like my second home so it feels good to be back with my teammates and be back on the court. It’s nice to have fun,” she said.
Mau said the Cargo Movers determined to address their first game lapses in practice ahead of their showdown with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Thursday.
“We’re just gonna have to get back into practice tomorrow and work on it,” Mau said.