Defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers had been in prime position to take the first seed earlier today. Facing an Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles squad without ace spiker Jhoana Maraguinot, La Salle took to the SMART-Araneta Coliseum with a complete lineup.
But La Salle faltered, falling to Ateneo in four sets — losing both games of their elimination round match-ups.
Despite losing, head coach Ramil De Jesus was still optimistic about his team’s prospects in the Final Four. Facing a hungry University of Santo Tomas team, De Jesus wants his Lady Spikers to reflect on their mistakes.
“So, siguro, tawag dito, isa pa rin ‘yun sa mga dapat tutukan ng team.
“Kasi alam natin na kahit na nakakuha ka ng set ay hindi pa rin ganoon kadaling paawayin ang kalaban. At least meron pang time para mag-ayos para sa team,” said De Jesus as his La Salle team braces for an all-out war on April 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Regaining confidence after losing to Ateneo will be the first thing they will work on, said the DLSU Hall of Famer.
“Siguro, sa confidence, siguro, yun lang yung pinaka-mabigat, pero ang importante naman kasing game is ‘yung semis. Doon naman nagsta-start talaga ang totoong laban, hindi naman dito. Kumbaga, ito, placing lang. So yung sa 22, yun yung start ng talagang totoong bakbakan,” added the nine-time UAAP champion.
“Sabi ko nga, doon mag-stastart ang totoong labanan, so kailangan doon ka na wag magpapatalo. So lahat gagawin namin para sa game na ‘yun.”
