Ria Meneses delivered when needed
Standing at 6-foot-1, a lot is expected of Ria Meneses, especially with all the accolades and experience she’s garnered.
A National Team pool member and a former UAAP Best Blocker, Meneses should have more than one point a match. But that was her entire output against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, a huge reason for the quick loss of the University of Santo Tomas.
Challenging his tallest player, Kungfu Reyes did not mince his words towards Meneses.
“Best Blocker ka, wala kang block?,” Reyes remembered asking the fourth-year middle blocker.
“Parang na-down ako na nabuhayan at gusto na bumawi,” Meneses recalled feeling after her talk with Reyes.
“Ginamit ko na lang talaga siyang challenge as kailangan talaga ako ng team and kailangan ko pa ilabas ‘yung buong makakaya ko talaga.”
In a season-deciding match against the University of the Philippines, Menses was spectacular, scoring 10 points which included eight blocks — double that of UP’s total.
“Siguro, grabe lang din ang push sa akin nina coach saka ng mga parents ko. Grabe nila ako paalalahan after ng game namin sa La Salle,” the 21-year-old said after UST’s clutch win.
“Parang lagi nilang pinu-push na huwag panghinaan ng loob. Ilabas mo lang ang natural na laro.”
The Tigresses now have their fate in their hands, as a win against the National University Lady Bulldogs on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum gives them the third seed without having to go through a playoff.
Reyes is hoping to get more out of his blocker to break UST’s four-year Final Four drought.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang ‘yung laro niya kasi kailangan namin siya. Alam niya naman na malaking parte siya ng team. Confident kami sa kanya na kaya niya,” UST’s mentor declared.
