UAAP volleyball: Julia Coronel embraces tough love from La Salle coaches

La Salle Lady Spikers’ Julia Coronel in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle setter Julia Coronel doesn’t mind the tough lough from coach Ramil De Jesus, believing it will only make her a better playmaker and leader for the Lady Spikers in their title-retention bid in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

In a couple of timeouts dedicated to Coronel, De Jesus was heard constructively criticizing the playmaking of his senior player. 

But Coronel, who earned the Player of the Game honors with 16 excellent sets and two blocks in their 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 win over Far Eastern University on Saturday, understands that her coaches know what’s best for her.

READ: UAAP volleyball: Julia Coronel steers La Salle to rout of FEU

“Regarding tough love, I think kahit papano nasanay na rin ako, and I think it’s good for all of us. The more na tough sila samin, the more na ibig sabihin may gusto pa silang makita from us, the more na pinu-push pa nila kami,” said Coronel

“We just absorb na lang everything kasi the more na pinagsasabihan nila kami, ibig sabihin, the more na they want to see us improve. Pag tumahimik na yung mga coach, ibig sabihin wala ka nang pag-asa o mataas na yung nilalaro mo. So dahil may naririnig pa kami kahit papano, that means na meron pang kulang sa amin and lahat kami aware naman doon, and we just embrace the challenge na binibigay ng mga coaches.”

La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo, speaking for De Jesus, was pleased with Coronel’s progress, hoping the setter would continue to improve as the competition gets tougher in the second round.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

“Yung growth naman niya, andiyan na. Tuluy-tuloy naman yung nagiging performance niya na maganda. Hopefully, ma-sustain. Nakikita naman namin na every training, every game, she keeps on improving,” said Orcullo. “Hopefully, ma-sustain hanggang matapos yung tournament at madagdagan pa at tumaas pa yung magandang performance.”

With bigger responsibility this season, the fifth-year setter is making the most of her opportunity as the main setter of La Salle after spending the previous years of her career as a backup.

“Siguro pinanghuhugutan ko is yung pinagdaanan ko. I was in the team, this is my fifth playing year now, and throughout that whole team, second setter lang ako,” said Coronel.

La Salle Lady Spikers’ Julia Coronel in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTOCe

“Sinasabi rin sakin ni coach na ngayon, eto na yun, eto na yung opportunity ko, so it’s either I grab it, or wala, pakawalan ko na. Matagal ko na rin tong hinintay kaya eto yung nagiging hugot ko every time I’m on the court, kahit mahirap nga paminsan yung pinagdaanan ko.”

Although the Lady Spikers opened the second round on a high note, Coronel remains hungry for improvement as they continue to work during the long break before their next game University of the Philippines on April 4 at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I would say na hindi pa po ako satisfied. This is a good start, especially for me and the team coming to the second round, pero ayoko ko pong huminto sa performance ko today,” she said. “Siyempre marami pa rin po ako naging lapses and I’m aware of that. So gusto ko na the more na patuloy yung season na to, the more I get to adjust.”