The video challenge in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball begins in the second round. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo team captain Faith Nisperos believes the return of the video challenge system in the UAAP volleyball tournaments will help the league reach greater heights.
The video challenge system, which has 23 cameras around the court to monitor the action, was finally implemented to start the second round of the Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Ateneo and University of the East made extensive use of the challenge in the more crucial fourth set before the Blue Eagles completed a season sweep of the Lady Red Warriors, 25-16, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19, for their first back-to-back wins of the season.
Nisperos said the return of the challenge, which was first implemented in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic, was a big help for both teams.
“It really helps, of course, especially in the crucial moments and the tight moments when we need to get a point. It can really be a help to us, it can also be like an advantage for our opponents,” said Nisperos after scoring 18 points, including five blocks.
“It pushes [us] to achieve a more perfect volleyball. It not only raises the competition but also the level of the league,” she added.
Ateneo Blue Eagles. UAAP PHOTO
Although the match became longer than the first round due to the review of clips, Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro stressed the importance of challenge, saying the referees “can only see so much”
“It just slows down [the game] but it really helps the team. Of course, when it comes to crucial times we really need the challenge. And you know, the referee, right now, they did a good job, but they can only see so much. There’s a human error but it’s inevitable,” Almadro said in Filipino.
“The Video Challenge helps and hopefully the review will be faster because sometimes it cools down the players inside the court. But it’s okay. Everyone is still adjusting. It will really help and uplift the UAAP to a higher level.”
Joan Narit, who was also instrumental with nine points to help Ateneo improved to a 3-5 record, said the challenge also helps them to play better.
“I think, in a way, it’s allowing us to be more conscious of playing right because sometimes, we don’t really notice. For example, like macheck na siya na sobrang sa tip lang, minsan hindi ko talaga siya mapapansin. Pero pag may challenge parang ‘ah nacheck pala siya’,” she said. “So for me, it helps that I should do better, I should block better. So yeah, it’s good, it’s helpful for us.”
UE also made good use of the video challenge as it had two successful challenges in the game, despite falling to a 0-8 record.