Chery Tiggo head coach Clarence Esteban had a debut to forget in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
Already without main gunner Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who sprained her left ankle in practice prior to the tournament, Esteban also missed the services of Alina Bicar, Buding Duremdes, EJ Laure, and Justine Dorog due to health and safety protocols.
“Ang laking kawalan nung mga dapat na nakalagay na tao namin, so yung palitan ng tao sobrang limited lang talaga,” said Esteban, who replaced Aaron Velez at the helm.
This left the newly-minted head coach’s rotation in shambles, resulting in a three-set beating at the hands of Choco Mucho on Saturday night.
“Nung last nakuha namin ng test doon kami nagka-alaman na meron sila. Every training nagte-test kami para malaman namin kung sinong meron kaso itong last na isa-submit namin, doon pa kami nagkaroon ng ganung sitwasyon,” bared Esteban.
With the quintet’s status still uncertain, Esteban is confident that the remaining players led by Mylene Paat, Shaya Adorador, and Jasmine Nabor can hold the fort for the time being.
“Talaga naman na kahit nawala sila, kaya nga kami nagpa-practice ng mga players na pamalit e. Lahat naman sila deserve naman na pumwesto diyan so meron lang na medyo umaangat, meron ding medyo nasa ilalim,” said Esteban.
“Lahat naman sila kayang gampanan. Kaya kami nagte-train araw-araw para ma-cover up namin para kung sakaling ganun yung mangyari, at least naka-ready kami sa lahat ng sitwasyon.”
With their hands tied, Esteban told his wards to focus on the things that they can control which is to remain consistent every time they step onto the court.
“Kung ie-evaluate ko naman, okay naman yung galawan namin. Nag-improve naman yung team compared sa simula,” said Esteban.
“Nandoon yung galaw, nandoon yung atake, yung consistency lang medyo nawawala kami doon, medyo bumibigay kami sa consistency ng laro.”
