With hands on her knees after a long, exhausting battle, Chery Ano-os gasped heavily for air at one area of the court.
The rest of the team were already taking team pictures as the University of the East pulled the rug out from under Far Eastern University, 54-38 Sunday to pick up its second victory in four games.
Ano-os, the third year playmaker, logged a game-high 37 minutes, playing extended minutes as Lady Warriors head coach Aileen Lebornio went to a short rotation against last year’s finalists.
But Ano-os did not mind, as she already embraced the role of being the team’s leader.
“Mula noong una pa lang, ang goal ng team ay maka-Final Four. Syempre, hindi namin yun magagawa kung isang panalo lang kaya lagi kaming nagpa-practice at minomotivate namin ang isa’t isa para makuha ang goal namin,” she said.
Ano-os paced the Lady Warriors that time with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in another all-around display, getting her teammates involved with excellent quarterbacking.
She says being unselfish and facilitating while on the floor are keys to get the Lady Warriors’ offense flowing.
“Iniisip ko lang na hindi mananalo ng ako lang magisa. Kailangan i-share talaga ang bola,” she shared.
The Recto squad is in the middle of the team standings right now, and Ano-os says there are many aspects to improve on to fulfill their ultimate target.
“Depensa lang talaga ang pinag-iigihan namin. Sa mga susunod na laro kailangan pa namin ng more communication sa loob and shooting, kulang pa rin kami doon,” she said.
As for the challenge issued by their head coach, Ano-os does not mind playing heavy minutes time and again. She knows she has to lead a team, no matter how exhausting it would be.
“Mahal namin ang coach namin kaya kahit anong kaya namin ibigay sa loob ng court, binibigay namin,” she said.
