UE Lady Warriors huddle during their game against the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of the East assistant coach Obet Vital admitted that the Lady Warriors were affected by Jerry Yee’s suspension as they absorbed their third straight loss in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
In its first game without Yee, whose three-month UAAP suspension was announced just hours before the game against Adamson, UE struggled to find its groove as it yielded to Adamson. 19-25, 19-25, 28-26, 27-29, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We came out flat. Although we tried to pump them up and talk about the things that needed to be done, especially for today given the situation, very important game, and we’re playing for coach Jerry,” said Vital, who will call the shots for UE in place of Yee.
READ: UAAP suspends coach Jerry Yee for rest of season; UE to appeal
“Sometimes it’s mentally tough for the kids to handle it, especially having so many rookies on the court and then this issue comes in the last minute.”
Vital shared the same sentiment as Yee, who claimed there was “no due process” in his suspension. Vital also urged the whole UE community to rally behind their head coach.
“This is very important. What happened, and people are not gonna like what I’m gonna say, but what happened to coach Jerry is not done to coach Jerry alone, and I need UE, I need the UE community, the president, I need the student body, the student government, I need everybody to know that this wasn’t done only to coach Jerry. Because we believe that there was no due process. The timing of this being on a Friday, right before Adamson, I think they’re not only targeting coach Jerry, but they’ve targeted the girls, the players, the UE community, the volleyball program, the whole organization,” said the deputy coach.
UE Lady Warriors.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
“So I would request for UE admin to really really look into this and see if protocol was properly implemented. Because what happened was he was guilty. He was once I was able to talk, and then he was given the punishment, which was not allowing to [coach] today and I don’t know how long. I’m hoping to be fair, they bring everybody to the table and then they get to hear the person’s that’s accusing and then the person that needs to defend, be able to know what his side is.”
Casiey Dongallo and the Lady Warriors wore black armbands and white tapes written with “Coach Jerry” on their wrists. They were prepared for the situation but they just fell short to the Lady Falcons due to their slow start.
“We really did that for coach Jerry kasi yun nga po yung sabi ni Doc na parang di napakinggan yung side ni coach Jerry tapos nagdesisyon na po agad sila tapos timing na timing against Adamson,” said the prized rookie, who unleashed 26 points.
“Hindi po kami masyadong na-shock sa naging balita po sa amin kasi nga may naririnig na rin kami na baka nga pag ganitong game, i-off si coach Jerry. Andun po yung coaches namin na parang i-motivate kami na dapat hindi kami magpadala sa ganung bagay. We just have to use it as a motivation.”
READ: UE coach Jerry Yee blasts UAAP suspension, claims ‘no due process’
Yee and UE will appeal to the league on Monday.
Despite falling to a 1-3 record, Vital was still proud of his rookie-laden team after putting up a gallant stand against Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, and Adamson.
Regardless of the outcome of the school’s appeal, Dongallo vows to move forward and keep their focus on their campaign against defending champion La Salle on Wednesday.
“Hindi naman sa kalimutan na to kung ano nangyari this Adamson game. I think we just have to move forward, mag-ensayo ulit sa training, ayusin kung ano man yung ayusin, especially yung mental state namin. I think kailangan po talaga naming palakasin yung utak namin, knowing na nagpadala kami sa mga nangyari sa labas,” said the UE rising star.