F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego took the blame after absorbing their first loss in Pool B at the expense of Petro Gazz in a grueling five-set match in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
“All in all, I’m going to blame that game on me. It’s me. There are so many things that we need to adjust but I failed to do. It’s just me. I mean the players are doing their best they can. Don’t bash the players, it’s me guys,” said Diego after their 25-20, 22-25, 12-25, 35-33, 9-15 loss to Petro Gazz on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
Coming off a thrilling five-set win over Choco Mucho two days ago, The Cargo Movers failed to seal the first semifinal berth in Pool B as they fell to a 3-1 record tied with the Angels and the Cignal HD Spikers.
“Let’s give the players a chance to recover because that game the day before was exhausting for all of us even for Choco Mucho. It’s me. Bash me, not the girls. The girls are doing well,” the youthful coach said.
“We are looking at the possibilities. We can’t be complacent. Let’s see, we’re gonna evaluate ourselves first. We need to look at the things we need to do so we can enter the next round, because these girls really want this so much and I don’t want to take it away from them,” she added.
F2 Logistics blew a 4-0 start in the fifth set but it lost its momentum after a rotation error that caused a long review by the referees, who awarded a point to Petro Gazz tying the frame at 6-all.
F2 Logistics in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Angels scored four straight points to take a 12-9 spread before their run was halted when the referee called a net touch on Grethcel Soltones but the Petro Gazz coaches called for a challenge that proved that Aby Maraño’s knee touched the net first.
Maraño trimmed the lead to 13-10 but Petro Gazz asked for another challenge on a foot fault. Maraño’s supposed kill was canceled after the video flashed that Ivy Lacsina committed a foot fault that put the Angels at match point, 14-9, before Soltones’ game-winning crosscourt attack.
The F2 Logistics coach said she didn’t understand the confusing turnout of the video challenge but she is taking the loss in stride.
“I still don’t know what happened for now. I think we’re going to discuss it. Other than that, the girls did their best in the fifth set. And also Petro Gazz was really playing well,” Diego said.
Diego said her wards “can’t be too emotional” as they have to move on right away when they try to book the semis berth against Foton on Tuesday.
“I told them that it’s not everyday we’re going to be. There will be times that will humble us. There are still things we need to learn,” she said. “We had lapses that we need to change. We have mental problems, usually they’re too eager. There are so many things to learn and we have to learn from this loss. We have to learn from the wins. It’s really a process.”