Faith Nisperos didn’t waste any time in re-introducing herself after producing a huge performance for Ateneo De Manila University in the opening salvo of UAAP Season 84 against archrival De La Salle University.
It may have been a tough loss for the defending champions but the sophomore outside hitter shone brightly for her team on Thursday evening.
She paced her squad with 24 points on 19 kills, three aces, and two blocks. Despite putting up a solid line, Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro claimed that he is holding Nisperos to a high standard and that there is still more room for improvement for her moving forward.
“I’m happy. Alam naman natin, kagaya ko, iba ‘yung standard na gusto ko kay Faith,” the multi-titled mentor said. “I really want a higher standard for her but sa pinakita niya ngayon, I know that she will be better in the next games. Kailangan lang namin maging consistent.
“The points doesn’t matter eh, what’s important is the holistic — the totality of her game so marami pa siyang kailangan i-improve.”
Last season, Nisperos was one of the young pieces in a loaded Ateneo team that still had a handful of mainstays with the likes of Kat Tolentino, Ponggay Gaston, and Jules Samonte. After the cancellation of Season 82 due to the pandemic, the senior players of Ateneo all decided to take the leap and play at the professional level.
Now in her lonesome, the 5-foot-11 native of Davao City is being tasked to carry a heavier load for the Blue Eagles in their bid to defend their crown this season.
“I know naman Faith is a very talented player,” said Almadro. “It’s her first time ulit to play and you know naman na at this point in time, we rely on her now unlike before na mayroon siyang Kat Tolentino katabi, may Ponggay [Gaston], may Jules [Samonte], ngayon wala eh. Si Vanie [Gandler], alam naman natin ngayon lang nag-start si Vanie.”
Nisperos heeded the call and responded well by leading her team in scoring against La Salle which Almadro claimed was made possible by the help of her teammates.
“I’m happy with how Faith’s playing and I’m happy also na tinutulungan siya ng teammates niya,” he shared.
“Siguro ung 24 points na ‘yun is because of the help of her teammates also but I’m sure that Faith will be better.”
Nisperos echoed her coach’s sentiment and stressed that she was only focusing on playing her role in order to contribute well to the team.
“As Coach O always says, I just have to do my role right, ‘di ko naman kailangan maging perfect,” she said. “Of course, I have my teammates to help me and also I would like to help them so we just have to do our roles and doon lang ako nag-fofocus — just to do my role always.”
After absorbing their first loss of the season, Nisperos and the Blue Eagles will next face the NU Lady Bulldogs who nabbed a straight set victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons earlier in the day.
The 22-year-old spiker previously played for Nazareth School of National University at the high school level where she first made a name for herself and eventually became a highly-touted recruit before entering college.
Heading to her matchup against her former Lady Bullpups teammates, Nisperos claimed that she will only treat it as a regular game and do her usual preparations as she tries to give Ateneo its first win of the season.
“I don’t need to overthink it, siyempre I have to prepare with my team as well, ‘Di ko na kailangan isipin pa kung sino man ‘yung magiging kalaban ko. But as a team we have to prepare and of course, kasama ko sila so ‘yun po ‘yung gagawin ko.”
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