La Salle Lady Spikers. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Interim coach Noel Orcullo was not pleased by La Salle’s lack of respect toward University of the East by not playing true to form despite the straight sets win on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
Orcullo said the Lady Spikers failed to play through their strengths, especially in the first two sets where the Lady Warriors surprisingly kept it close.
“I’m not satisfied because we can do more with our height. As you can see from the height discrepancy, we can dominate the frontline more. But UE scored more attacks by 10 points,” said Orcullo, who’s filling in for head coach Ramil De Jesus, in Filipino.
“I reminded them that you are not respecting their opponent. It’s evident in your movement inside the court. That’s why I keep on scolding them every time I call a timeout and every technical timeout throughout the first two sets,” he said. “Good thing, they followed the game plan and they showed respect in the third set.”
La Salle, the only undefeated team in the league at 4-0, had to overcome a sluggish start before dispatching UE, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14.
The Lady Spikers were outplayed in the attacking department, 30-40, but made up for it on the defensive end anchored by Thea Gagate.
Gagate accounted for five of La Salle’s 15 blocks to finish with 13 points, including eight attacks.
Orcullo also reminded his players to show no letup.
“It’s still a long way to go for us. It’s a long tournament so we can’t be complacent even if we’re leading,” said Orcullo. “Even if we’re on top, we have to keep on working in practice and improve every game. We have to polish everything going to the second round.”
La Salle eyes its fifth win against Far Eastern University on Saturday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.