By: Ohmer Bautista
Experience is the best teacher, and the best experiences teach the best lessons.
This old dictum perfectly fits the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference stint of the young Bali Pure-National University Water Defenders – a team bannered by high school wunderkinds, a couple of collegiate players, and two imports.
Entering a tourney filled with grizzled veterans and collegiate student-athletes, Bali Pure-NU were clearly at a disadvantage when it comes to experience. But as the season progressed, they were able to collect wins, and even picked up a spot in the quarterfinals.
However, their hopes of a playoff finish ended last Saturday at the hands of the BanKo Perlas Spikers. Still, despite that, head coach Babes Castillo believes that their entry in the tournament alone is already a treat for his young team, that includes Lady Bullpups Mhicaela Belen, Joyme Cagande, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Alyssa Solomon, Ivy Lacsina, and Princess Robles.
“Overall, I think it’s a very productive season for them, first hand,” he beamed moments after their sweep of the Tacloban Fighting Warays. “It’s the first time na majority of high school squad was fielded in.
“It was a good start,” he declared.
“But we anticipated that they will be challenged midway doon sa liga, siyempre mga seasoned veterans, so lumabas nga pagkabata nila, that’s what we saw.”
Amid the struggles that presented upon the young up-and-coming team, coach Castillo believes that every second spent on the Taraflex was worth it.
“For them, I’m sure that it’s one experience that they can really remember.
“Very unique, kasi they competed with the veterans and the elites so I think the experience,” he said.
Now that their PVL stint has ended, the NU tactician relishes the memorable experience that they garnered in the tourney, which he believes will definitely be of good use in the near future.
“Going back to high school and sa mag-cocollege, when they compete in high competitive games in the UAAP or the next few tournaments, may recollection na sila na, ‘Oh I know this, I’ve been here before’,” he beamed.
“That’s I think na magagamit nila.”
