Volleyball never stopped for Coleen Bravo and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas.
After finishing in third place during the NCAA tournament last January, the Lady Altas, to gain more exposure and experience, immediately joined the PSL’s Invitational Cup tournament as the New San Jose Builders Lady Victorias and, later on, as the Amy’s Spikers in the All Filipino Conference. The Las Pinas-based squad did not win a single game during both of those tournaments, finishing last, but gained a wealth of experience.
Entering the V-League’s Collegiate Conference, the Lady Altas were expected to dominate in the tournament as the field will consist of team’s in their age brackets. However, just like in its PSL campaign, the Lady Altas are still listless after two games, including a humiliating loss against the TIP Lady Engineers.
Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar was furious after the Lady Altas allowed 21 service aces – the most in recent memory – against the Lady Engineers.
“Hindi po talaga in-expect ng kahit sino sa mga coaches namin ang nangyari,” Perpetual team captain Coleen Bravo shared after her team received a scolding from Acaylar. “Sa training naman namin okay, may receive, tapos pagdating sa game wala.”
“Yun talaga yung main problem. Walang receive. Kung walang receive, wala na ring set at palo. Dun talaga nagsimula. Yung receive talaga ang kailangan namin ayusin.”
The 21 year old added that neither fatigue nor the lack of confidence contributed to the funk her team is on right now.
“I think [mental ito]. Kasi sa training okay naman e. Feeling ko talaga nanibago lang,” the middle blocker added. “Kasi sanay kami sa pagod, dun kami tumitibay.”
“Kaya nga nagagalit si coach sa amin kasi sabi nga niya, ‘gusto niyo sumali ng maraming tournament di ba?'”
Acaylar, who handed over coaching duties to lead assistant coach Michael Molleno during his team’s PSL campaign, even questioned the loyalty his team during the long post-game talk he had with Perpetual. Bravo, on behalf of her teammates, denied that they are going rogue, pledging their loyalty to the veteran mentor.
“No. Hindi ko alam. Siguro yung mga dating players pero yung players namin ngayon solid ang suporta kay coach. Na-cocontrol ko naman sila,” she shared. “Naisip lang siguro ni coach yun kasi baka kaya wala kaming laro kasi nagrerebelde kami pero hindi talaga.”
With their playoff hopes looking bleak, Perpetual’s skipper is hoping that they could turn things around as this could be their last tournament before the all-important NCAA tournament.
“Sobrang ibang-iba ang laro. Galing kami sa PSL tapos ngayon sa collegiate level, dapat lamang kami kaso wala,” she closed.
“Dapat mas magaling kami [sa pinapakita namin]. Aminado naman kami na may kulang kami pero hindi ganito.”
