De La Salle University setter Eco Adajar received the ultimate praise from National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
After the Bulldogs ended the Green Spikers’ season on Wednesday with a 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21 win, Alinsunurin shared what made it hard to beat La Salle this season.
“Unang una, nag-doubt ako sa kanila kasi may bago silang setter na pinasok,” said the long-time NU mentor on Adajar.
“In the long run, nakita ko na ang bilis, ang galing ung setter nila na nagdala talaga sa kanila sa semifinals na ito,” he added.
Alinsunurin also praised the leaders of the Green Spikers, JM Ronquillo and Noel Kampton.
In their four matches this season, none finished in straight sets, with three games going to four sets and one game going the distance.
NU won the first-round encounter, 25-20, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21. Then La Salle answered in the second round, 25-19, 25-18, 31-33, 27-25.
However, the Bulldogs secured the crucial win during the playoff for the second seed and a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, 19-25, 25-21, 25-13, 21-25, 16-14.
Adajar capped his first season in the UAAP with 23 excellent sets and two points. And for him, it was all gratitude after receiving praise from one of the most decorated coaches in the division.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Coming from Coach Dante which is handled niya si Owa Retamar, alam din naman ng coaches nila na setter talaga yung magdadala,” said Adajar.
“Very thankful ako na na-praise ako ni Coach Dante na part ng national team coaches. Super thank you!”
After finishing in fourth place, Adajar emphasized that he needs to establish better connections with his teammates for a chance to crack the top two next season.
Adajar joined the team just four months ago and was inserted into the starting role three games into the season.
“There are more things to improve sa akin as a setter sa team kasi nga, ilang months lang naman kami nagsama – like four or three months lang,” said the 23-year-old playmaker out of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna.
“It’s always about the connection. Yung four months, hindi talaga yung enough eh. Pero sabi ko nga, there will always be a lot of improvement, lalo na next season.”
