The UST women’s volleyball team closed their first round with a victory over FEU, giving them a 2-5 record, and ending the team’s five-game losing streak. UST coach Odjie Mamon was available for questions postgame, and he gave his insights on the team’s chances to make the playoffs, and the team’s spark plug, Cherry Rondina.
Coach Odjie said that the team is starting to play together now, unlike in their previous games.
“Not really the right combination. Yung adjustments nila, they’re starting to become a team now. Isang lakad na, hindi iba-ibang kilos. Mas focused sila ngayon, unlike yung previous games namin na forgettable performance. Darating na siguro kami na competitive na.”
He was asked to grade the team on their performance, and while he didn’t give them passing marks, it just means that the potential of the team has not been realized yet. “74%. Bagsak.”
While ending the first round on a 2-5 record may seem dismal to most, Coach Odjie still continues to motivate his team.
“I was asked this question kung panic na, sabi ko super panic nung 1-4 pa lang. Ang standing namin is 2-5, we need at least 5 or 6 games. Saan ko pupulutin yun, diba? So dapat makaganti kami sa mga teams na tumalo sa amin. We have to win dun sa limang nakatalo sa amin. Sa limang nakatalo sa amin, sana makakuha kami ng apat na panalo dun. Ibig sabihin meron isang big two dun diba.
“Someone reminded me na there was a situation na nag 2-5 sa first round, pero they ended up winning the UAAP crown. Sinabi ko yun sa mga bata yun eh.”
Coach was also asked what Cherry Rondina, who played a pivotal role in their victory over FEU, brought to the team.
“Intensity. Siya lang among the players yung talagang intense. Kita mo naman eh. Kaya lang nung last time isang error, isang patay so parang ngcacancel lang. So saglit lang yung participation niya.”
