University of the Philippines started its UAAP Season 82 Women’s Volleyball campaign on the wrong foot, suffering a massive beatdown at the hands of Ateneo last Wednesday.
UP head coach Godfrey Okumu even lamented that his unit only gave just a tenth of its fullest potential, as if calling out his team to perform with more vigor for the upcoming games.
Fortunately, though, the Fighting Maroons took their coach’s words to heart, responding with action at the next opportunity.
“Oo, agree naman ako kay coach kasi siya din nakakakita sa galaw namin outside the court. Nag-aagree ako kay coach, and dun din ako na-disappoint sa sarili namin, kasi nga ‘di namin nadala ‘yung rookies. ‘Di kami naglaro nang maayos,” Isa Molde said.
She then continued, “Siguro nu’ng training, nag-train talaga kami nang maayos. And ‘yung kulang namin against Ateneo, inayos talaga namin.”
So in their match against the win-hungry University of the East on Saturday, Molde and the Fighting Maroons made sure that their hard work would pay off.
Molde poured in a game-high 24 points built on 18 attacks, powering UP on the right track with a four-set conquest of UE.
The rest of her offensive output came from blocks, as she anchored the Fighting Maroons in the blocking department — spelling the biggest difference in the match at 12-2.
For her part, the 5-foot-7 outside hitter felt that she heeded Okumu’s call.
As she opined, “Feel ko naman nakabawi ako, pero kasi… Basta ‘yun.”
Molde felt something was lacking in her performance against Ateneo, where she finished with nine points. Still, she acknowledged that their early heartbreak has jolted their senses to improve going forward.
“Feeling ko talaga may kulang last game,” the 21-year-old Cebuana recalled. “Magaan ako ngayon, sobrang gaan kasi ‘yun nga nu’ng una parang stiff kami.
“‘Di kami naging mindful sa mga ginagawa namin,” she continued.
“Siguro dun din namin naisip na, ‘Uy, kailangan gawin natin ‘to para naman magaan-gaan, ‘di ba? At tsaka maging confident'”
