UST Tigresses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas shook the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament when it ended defending champion National University’s 20-game winning run.
But the two teams are playing for something bigger this time, a crucial Final Four bonus that has coach KungFu Reyes focusing his wards on the task at hand.
“We will play volleyball, we will not play the occasion,” said Reyes in Filipino. “Otherwise, we will just be overwhelmed or get [too much] hype.”
The Tigresses and the Lady Bulldogs collide at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre, with the winner practically guaranteed twice-to-beat protection in the semifinals.
UST had NU smarting in the first round after carving out a streak-destroying 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11. But Reyes is expecting the reigning queens to come out even fiercer in their rematch.
“For sure, NU will be on target,” Reyes said. “But for us, we will just play volleyball and fight on Wednesday.”
“Whoever wins will get a bigger chance to earn the No.2 spot, which everyone aims for. We’re already in the top four but we are aiming higher,” he added.
Both teams share 9-3 (win-loss) records and have one game left after their Wednesday showdown.
But those games will be against eliminated teams with minimal chances of scoring an upset, hence the high value of Wednesday’s encounter.
The longtime UST coach stressed that it won’t be an easy rematch for both teams so he put a premium on scouting and enhancing his wards’ skills and teamwork.
Eya Laure. UAAP PHOTO
And Eya Laure hopes the Tigresses will execute whatever game plan Reyes will put together.
“Kung sino man ang tumapak sa court magpeperform at gagalaw at magtatrabaho yun yung pinakaimportante once na nilista ka ni coach sa papel siyempre once na nandon ka na kailangan prepared ka sa bawat game,” said Laure. “Lalo na NU yan defending champions yan nandyan yung mentality nila na hindi sila magpapatalo gagawin nila yung best nila.“
(Once coach writes your name on his starting list, you should be ready to perform and do your job. Especially since NU is the defending champion. Their mentality is to not give up and give their best.)
Laure leads a young but dangerous UST squad bannered by Regina Jurado, Cassie Carballo, Imee Hernandez, Milena Alessandrini, and libero Detdet Pepito against NU’s reigning MVP Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Lams Lamina, Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, and Jennifer Nierva.