For a neophyte franchise flagged by issues of chemistry, reaching the playoffs in their maiden campaign can already be considered a remarkable feat.
The Bureau of Customs Transformers have done as much in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference, having cemented their spot in the semifinals. They achieved the feat on Wednesday night after drubbing the still-winless Philippine Coast Guard Lady Dolphins in straight sets to earn their fourth win of the conference in six outings.
But despite the achievement, Customs head coach Sherwin Meneses addressed that the team still has a lot to improve on, particularly the technical aspects of their game.
“Yung service at receive namin, kung kaya namin iimprove. Kasi dun sa dalawang pagkatalo namin, yun yung problema namin,” said Meneses, pertaining to their two losses against BaliPure and Pocari Sweat.
“So back to basics muna.”
Aside from the aforementioned aspects that need tuning, Meneses shared that the whole Transformers squad is also working on familiarity with each other, so expect better outputs come the semis.
“Yun ang winowork namin every practice, na ma-improve pa chemistry namin. Practice lang everyday,” Meneses shared.
As the fourth and final team to complete the semis cast, Meneses is aware on how tight the battle in the playoffs would be, citing that the other three teams — BaliPure, Pocari, and the University of Santo Tomas — are already contenders in their own right.
“Yung tatlong yun, tough contenders na eh. Kasi yung dalawa, tinalo kami. UST, team talaga sila. So kahit sino matapat sayo, papahirapan ka.”
“Pero siyempre magpeprepare rin kami for semis,” the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles assistant coach lamented.
The Transformers, as aforementioned, have already made a huge achievement by barging into the next round. But for Meneses, it doesn’t stop from there.
The Customs still want more, and as they have made it into the semis, their aim has been locked to a new target – the Reinforced Conference Finals.
“Siyempre andiyan yung goal namin na makarating sa semis. Pero siyempre pag nasa semis ka na, tatargetin mo na yung Finals,” Meneses promised.