In 13 Philippine Superliga matches this year, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Alas have won zero matches. Close matches were few and far in between that would have thrown most coaches into delusions.
But Perpetual’s head coach Sammy “The Drill Master” Acaylar was thankful, nonetheless, for the experience his team gained in the PSL.
Acaylar steered his club team, the Cignal HD Spikers, to a win over the Amy’s Kitchen Spikers, comprised mainly of Lady Altas, Saturday afternoon.
“Sa totoo lang, ang laking tulong [ng pagsali ng Perpetual sa PSL].”
“‘Wag natin pagusapan ‘yung skills. Ang skills, madaling ituro e. Ang importante, ‘yung confidence nila sa sarili nila, at ‘yung bilib nila sa sarili nila na meron silang ilalabas,” the decorated mentor said.
Competing against veteran club players, Perpetual’s main core of Cindy Imbo, Lourdes Clemente, and Coleen Bravo had their moments despite the team’s overall struggle.
The Lady Altas’ amassed experience will be valuable for the upcoming NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament later this year. Last season, they made the Final Four. Retaining most of his key players, Acaylar is looking at regaining the NCAA title they last won two years ago.
“Siyempre we’re preparing for the NCAA, so ‘yung paglaro ng [Perpetual] sa PSL is a big advantage namin sa NCAA,” the boisterous for National Team coach quipped.
“From the start, nu’ng sumali kami ng PSL, ‘yung management namin sa Perpetual, they’re very happy kasi nakita nila ‘yung improvement ng team. Ngayon, although natalo sila, siyempre merong ups and downs ‘yan e, pero ‘yung improvement nila nandu’n. Psychologically, nag-improve talaga sila. Thank you sa PSL.”
After this conference, the Lady Altas hops immediately to the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference which begins on July 30.
“Of course, ‘yung exposure, ‘yung confidence namin na magiging solid kami as one team. How to develop a team is not just an easy [task], na isang tournament lang ang sasalihan or ilang exposure lang.”
“It needs so many exposure in many tournaments kasi they’re young,” Acaylar closed.
