No excuses, Creamline wanted it more–F2 coach Regine Diego

F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego offered no excuses in their tough loss to Creamline in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinals series in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

“They haven’t been here [in the semis] for the longest time. Maybe they are still getting used to it but I don’t want excuses. We lost because we didn’t want to win, Creamline wanted it more. That’s the reason,” said Diego in Filipino after absorbing a 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 15-25 loss to Creamline.

“Not because of injuries because all the teams are working hard. We lost because it’s our fault.  We didn’t play our best today.”

Diego still lauded her second unit, which put up a gallant stand in the second set and helped starters Kim Kianna Dy, Elaine Kasilag, who filled in Myla Pablo’s spot, and Ivy Lacsina.

“I was happy with our second stringers they really did their best. But we need to work more, we need to learn from this so positively. But we still lost and I can’t accept it sorry I’m a sore loser. I really wanna win. I’m very competitive. I don’t need reasons,” she said.

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The youthful F2 Logistics coach lamented their poor fourth set showing, where they started 1-8, coming off a win in the third.

“It’s part of their trend. It’s very hard for us coaches to push them because when they stop, they totally stop. They still have to find the motivation or the things I should say to wake them up,” Diego said. “They can’t play like that. It’s the semifinals either you give your heart out or nothing. I hope they learn from that because it’s very important. This is not just a random game. This is the semifinal. This is a different ball game now.”

Diego said Pablo’s status remains day-to-day after she missed her second straight game.

“She will be the one to tell me. I want her to be mentally prepared. I want her to be physically prepared because I won’t risk one game because it could get worse. I won’t risk other conferences for just one game,” she said. “Day by day. I will try to talk to her while going through rehab for her pains. But other than that she has to tell me she’s ready.”

F2 Logistics tries to fight for its dear life in Game 2 and stop Creamline from going all the way to its fifth straight All-Filipino Finals on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I told them that they can’t stop whenever they want. They can’t stop connecting with each other because one point is very important. That has been a problem ever since so I’m trying to remind them that it can cost you one game or one set,” Diego said. “We’re already here. The opportunity is here it’s either you grab it or not.”