Adamson Lady Falcons in the Akari Cup, a week-long tournament ahead of the UAAP women’s volleyball season. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Adamson coach JP Yude lauded the composure of the young Lady Falcons after beating professional teams in the preseason.
But the new coach wants more from his wards when the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, which opens Saturday next week at Mall of Asia Arena, rolls on.
The Lady Falcons blew a two-set lead but displayed grace under pressure as Lucille Almonte nailed the championship-clinching kill against Premier Volleyball League team Akari in five sets, 25-19, 29-27, 21-25, 23-25, 15-9, to rule the Akari Cup Invitationals on Wednesday evening at Adamson Gym.
READ: Lucille Almonte takes young, rebuilding Adamson under her wings
Yude marveled at the never-say-die attitude of his wards, hoping they would carry their gains heading to the UAAP season next week.
“They can bring this confidence going to the UAAP. We praise God because these players didn’t give up even when they were tired. I encouraged and motivated them that we have to push hard in this championship game because we can learn a lot from this before we enter the UAAP,” said the Adamson coach in Filipino.
The Lady Falcons had a fruitful week-long tournament, where they beat the Nxled Chameleons twice, including the semifinal, and took down Ateneo and NCAA teams Arellano and University of Perpetual Help.
“They learned a lot from different teams every day. It was a great experience for them because they proved that we can compete against the pro teams and other schools,” Yude said. “I saw their potential and willingness to win. The skills are already there, we just have to improve the mindset of the team. I encourage them to keep fighting because we will face stronger teams in the UAAP.”
“We have to train their minds how to think and their perspective on what’s happening during games. Like what happened to [Lorene] Toring it was all of a sudden so they have to learn that someone has to step up and the team needs to work harder,” he added.
READ: JP Yude tells Adamson Lady Falcons: Don’t get intimated by La Salle
The senior middle blocker Lorene Toring bid farewell to Adamson after suffering an ACL injury in practice in January.
Yude admitted that the team is 60 to 70 percent ready in the UAAP as it still needs to work on their consistency in blockings, passing, and attacking but he was pleased how the Lady Falcons responded after the unfortunate injury of their teammate.
“I saw that even though they lost their Ate Toring, they proved that they could. We have to continue playing for her so we can inspire her as she starts her road to recovery,” the first-year coach said.
From playing for the Adamson men’s team and coaching in high school, Yude will call the shots for the Lady Falcons, who finished with a bronze medal last year.
Inheriting a contender team, which lost Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Louie Romero, and several players, is a big challenge for the young coach, but he promises to work hard in guiding Almonte, Red Bascon, Angelica Alcantara, and Barbie Jamili.
“With great power comes great responsibility. It’s my first time to handle a UAAP women’s team but I believe that God will always guide me and give strength and hope always,” Yude said. “I don’t know what are the expectations for our team. But for us, we will work hard every training and every game.”