UST Tigresses coach KungFu Reyes in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — It had been a grueling but fulfilling Saturday filled with volleyball for coach KungFu Reyes.
After guiding Chery Tiggo to a big win over defending champion Creamline in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Reyes went straight to Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City to steer the University of Santo Tomas to a 7-0 sweep in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament first round.
The Crossovers’ win snapped the Cool Smashers’ 19-game winning streak. It was also Chery Tiggo’s first victory over Creamline since claiming the 2021 Open Conference title in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte while also dealing Creamline its first straight-set defeat since 2019.
READ: Behind UST’s unbeaten start in UAAP volleyball: The ‘fantastic’ coaching staff
The veteran coach made it to Quezon City with a lot of time to spare as the game day, kicked off by the men’s showdown between defending champion National University and La Salle, was moved from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. due to technical issues on the taraflex.
A pair of five-setters with UST beating Adamson in the second men’s game and defending champion La Salle pulling off a come-from-behind win over NU made the day even longer.
“Bago pa lang ako umalis ng bahay, tinitignan ko na yung Pilipinas Live, kasi 10 a.m., so sabi ko wala pa kong nakikita kasi nag-breakfast pa lang ako tapos pupunta ako ng Sta. Rosa, alis ako ng by 11, so sabi ko wala pa, so suddenly nag message sa group si sir [Rod] Roque sa lahat ng UAAP schools na ayun na nga may delay,” said Reyes, sharing laughter with reporters.
“So binagalan ko ng unti yung pagkakape ko, so sabi ko medyo parang okay rin. Pero naka monitor kami.”
Blessing in disguise
UST Tigresses in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
From the original 4:00 p.m. start time, the game between the Tigresses and Adamson Lady Falcons didn’t start until 8:00 p.m.
The delay was a blessing in disguise for Reyes and his Tigresses as the four-hour delay didn’t stop them from sweeping the first round with a hard-earned 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 28-26 victory over the Lady Falcons. The victory gave UST its best start in the Final Four era at 7-0.
“Parang mas medyo naging magaan, may delay, siyempre wala namang may gusto pero ayun na nga tumama sa amin yung ganung pagkakataon,” said Reyes.
“Ang basa naman eh mga aabutin kami ng 6 p.m. bago mag start kasi nga pitpitan yung labanan first game pa lang NU tsaka La Salle tapos nag fifth set din yung Adamson at UST na lalaki so ganun din yung sa babae.”
READ: UAAP: UST Tigresses wary of complacency after perfect first round
“Ako personally, kasi coming from a game sa Sta. Rosa, takbo in about 2 hours, at least nakahabol so malaking bagay,” he added.
Team captain and star libero Detdet Pepito said the team remained patient amid the delay as they are always ready for this kind of situation.
“Nasaktuhan lang din kasi ganito yung training time namin wala namang problema sa amin. Kaya naming mag-adjust,” said Pepito, who had 21 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
READ: PVL: Another chance for Chery Tiggo to solve ‘good’ predicament
“Sanay na kami sa ganitong oras. Swerte nga namin mas maaga pa ngayon. Yung super league match namin ng Adamson noon madaling araw na talaga nung nakaraan. So thank you Lord,” said Pepito with a laugh.
Pepito was referring to a UST preseason match also against Adamson in the Shakey’s Super League two years ago that tipped off at 10 p.m. and ended at 1:38 a.m.