No rest for the brilliant as Diego wants F2 to keep improving

F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego acknowledged their win against Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Saturday was something “good.”

She also said that it’s something that her Cargo Movers needed to keep the fire burning and for them to not “stop working hard every day.”

F2 was able to do where three other teams failed, as a come-from-behind 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-23, 16-14 win over the Cool Smashers shattered Creamline’s growing myth of invincibility which also tilted the balance of power in the young tournament.

“I hope this [win] will ignite the fire under the players. This is how it should be. And to be able to make our adjustments in training, we need this kind of mindset,” Diego, the first and only lady coach in the league, said in Filipino. “Hopefully, our wins won’t end here. And their fire will continue to burn. We won’t stop working hard every day.”

Creamline also lost to F2 in the eliminations of the Reinforced Conference last November before regrouping and dismantling the Cargo Movers where it mattered, in the semifinals.

Second marathon win

It was F2’s second five-set conquest this conference after its win over PLDT in the opener.

Diego understands that their team development won’t happen overnight, but she lauded the maturity of her players, who rise to the challenge when it matters most.

“I think of all the PVL teams, we’re the most mature. That’s why they keep on fighting in tight matches,” she said. “But [playing in five sets] will not always be to our advantage. I still have to push these players to avoid being complacent and start strong and finish strong.”

Diego wants to see continuous improvements as they take on the struggling Cignal HD Spikers (1-3) on Saturday next week. She doesn’t want those marathon matches anymore.

“We have to be more energetic right from the start. We can’t always wait for a fifth set to win.” INQ