La Salle’s Julia Coronel at the Shakey’s Super League Invitationals. SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Julia Coronel is embracing her leadership role as La Salle’s new captain and main setter in the post-Mars Alba era at the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals.
Coronel was impressive in pacing the Lady Spikers’ offense as four of her teammates scored in double figures while drilling six of the squad’s 17 aces to sweep University of Perpetual Help, 25-11, 25-17, 25-12, in Pool A on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“For me, siyempre malaking adjusment coming last season na second setter. So ngayon po mas malaki na yung role na kailangan kong gampanan,” said Coronel after their first win. “So far, I’m working para mas mapanindigan ko pa po yun and siyempre patuloy lang din ako magiimprove para mas [malead] ko yung team and mas madala ko yung sarili ko.”
(For me, this is a big adjustment from being a second setter last season. This is a bigger role that I have to embrace. So far, I’m doing everything to improve myself so I can lead my team and also carry myself.)
La Salle’s Julia Coronel. SSL PHOTO
The former backup playmaker of Finals MVP and Best Setter Alba is building her chemistry with her young teammates also led by holdovers Thea Gagate, Alleiah Malaluan, and Shevana Laput as they missed Angel Canino and libero Justine Jazareno, who opted to rest in the tournament.
“At this point, everyone is still trying to adjust since we’re just getting started. And now in terms of our rookies, what I’m trying to do is still bond with all of them so I get to know them more and get their trust. We have to build a connection and trust with each other,” said Coronel in Filipino.
La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo was pleased with Coronel’s game but he stressed the necessary improvements she has to do as they start their build-up for the Lady Spikers’ title-retention bid in UAAP Season 86 next year.
“She played well overall but as we always say, she still has a lot of work to do by adding more on her skill set and improving her game,” Orcullo said in Filipino.