The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons were leading the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders, 2-1, but eventually crashed in the last two sets. The Lady Maroons absorbed their third loss, putting them on the brink of elimination in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference.
UP team captain Kathy Bersola provided 19 points, which included eight massive blocks. The senior middle blocker observed that her team lost intensity whenever she was out of the rotation.
“Siguro nawalan ng leader, tipong walang nagdadala walang nag-iingay, walang nagi-initiate ng intensity, parang wala talaga. Lalo na noong fifth set, nung simula, wala talaga. So sabi ko sa sarili ko, pag pasok ko ng fifth set, go, nilabas ko talaga lahat. Nahabol naman pero kinapos pa rin,” Bersola said ruefully.
“Hindi ko alam ang nangyayari pag wala ako sa loob so di ko masasagot yun. Pero pag nasa loob ako, alam ko na may kaya akong gawin. Parang makakatulong talaga ako, alam ko yun. Pero pag wala ako, di ko alam, wala akong masasabi pag sila ang nasa loob. Pero nakita ko kanina, parang medyo natataranta, kabado. Wala pa talaga yung mental toughness at maturity na hinahanap ni coach (Jerry Yee) sa amin.”
Jerry Yee had questioned his team’s desire and intensity in past matches. In the aforementioned match, he still saw no positives but gave his team encouragement when they were mounting a late comeback.
“Ngayon after medyo wala (sinabing positives sa amin). Galit kasi siya. Pero noong fifth set, nung humabol na kami, nung nag timeout ang Bali Pure, pinalakpakan niya lang kami, sabi niya ‘Sige lang’, kami na ang nagusap. parang hinayaan niya kami na kami ang magdala ng game, kami ang mag-decide for ourselves. Siguro for me, it’s a sign na positive kasi nandoon yung trust niya sa amin,” Bersola expressed.
Personally, Bersola hopes she can carry over the great game she played over to her next matches and eventually to the UAAP.
“For the first time in a long time I could say na good game ako today. In a long time talaga. Going into this league sabi ko sa sarili ko, kung ano ang pinangit ng depensa ko nung UAAP, ngayon ko babawiin para tuloy-tuloy ang momentum hanggang 79. Medyo pinagsasabihan pa rin ako ni coach sa blocking.”
