National University-Sta. Elena head coach Dante Alinsunurin lauded Joshua Retamar for finally embracing the team’s leadership role, Tuesday.
Back in the previous season of the Spikers’ Turf, Retamar was actually one of the youngest players in the league at just 19 years old.
Three years and a pandemic later, the product of Perpetual Help Biñan has now emerged as the Nationals’ rock in the ongoing 2022 Open Conference – even leading the collegiate squad to a sweep of the semis that catapulted them to finals.
“Masaya ako sa nagiging resulta ng laro niya. Although nung una medyo (may) struggle kami with communication sa kaniya, kung paano niya malalagpasan yun as a captain ball, as a setter na nasa loob ng court,” said Alinsunurin after Sta. Elena-NU’s four-set win over VNS-One Alicia on Tuesday in the semifinals.
“Itong semis, ‘di lang semis actually nung mga last two games namin sa elimination lumabas talaga yung pagka-leader niya sa loob. Nakita natin sobrang tahimik lang niyan, pero sa ibang bagay naman niya ginagawa. Sobrang masaya ako kasi nakita na niya kung (gaano) siya ka-importante sa loob ng court,” he added.
Against the Griffins, Retamar pulled the strings to the Nationals’ offense and delivered 28 excellent sets to lead the Nationals to a four-set, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, 27-25 win that helped them end the semifinals undefeated.
For his part, the Philippine men’s national volleyball team standout said that he was just happy to see everything that they have worked hard for come to fruition.
“Masaya po kasi yung pinagtrabahuhan namin everyday is hindi nasasayang and lumalabas siya sa court kapag naglalaro kami,” said Retamar. “Syempre mas todo pa sa training para pagdating sa game madali na lang maglaro.”
Retamar and the Nationals will face off against the Cignal HD Spikers in the Open Conference finals on Thursday at 5:30 PM.
