Ateneo loss sparks a fire within Caitlin Viray, Tigresses

MANILA, Philippines—Kung Fu Reyes has seen his stars Cherry Rondina and Eya Laure do most of the heavy lifting for University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.

Rondina and Laure, the top two scorers of the league, make up for most of the Golden Tigresses’ firepower especially with Season 80’s Rookie of the Year Milena Alessandrini getting sidelined with a knee injury in the first round.

Although there were games when Dimdim Pacres would play as the team’s third option, Reyes wanted more offense from his players and his wishes were fulfilled against Adamson University Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Center.

Caitlin Viray had a career game for UST, putting up 14 points in the Golden Tigresses’ 25-15, 25-12, 25-16 wn and Reyes said that he’d like to see his middle blocker get into a more prominent offensive role in their next matches.

“She just needs to get out of her shell more, and hopefully in our coming games she’ll do that and we’ll be able to bring her here to the pressroom,” said Reyes in Filipino. “Hopefully, there’ll be more to come of these kinds of performances from her.”

“She played great defense, she blocked some spikes, and of course her offense was there. We want to maximize her abilities and of course, I know she’ll be better,” added Reyes.

Viray, who had 34 total points prior to facing the Lady Falcons, said it was their stinging five-set defeat to Ateneo that lit up that fire in her and be a better player.

The emotions helped the whole team as well with the Golden Tigresses improving to a 6-3 record and are now tied with De La Salle for the second spot in the standings.

“We were frustrated after that Ateneo game, Ate Dim and I talked and said that if we had more points that game maybe we could’ve won,” said Viray in Filipino. “Our goal is to make the finals and maybe get the title before Ate Si [Rondina] graduates.”

Viray, who still has one more playing year, said she has to help those who’ll graduate and also the rookies in getting that championship.

“As one of those players who’ll still be with the team next year it’s important for me and the others to help Ate Si and Eya to get that championship,” said Viray who’s in her third playing year.