Iloilo star Jade Disquitado was extra motivated heading into 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals.
The D’Navigators were coming off a four-set loss at the hands of AMC-Cotabato and were set to open the semis against the same team.
Fueled by the heart-breaking defeat, Disquitado and the rest of Iloilo claimed revenge and bagged a stunning 25-19, 25-22, 25-23 sweep of the Cotabato Spikers to open their semis campaign at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The former Sta. Rosa ace fired a game-high 19 points on 19 attacks to lead his team to a massive bounce-back win against an AMC side composed of national team standouts.
“Sobrang laking motivation sa amin nun na tinalo nila kami kasi masyado na kaming bumaba. Ano lang, parang naging panggising sa amin nung natalo kami kaya nagising kaming lahat,” said Disquitado after the win.
“Para sa akin ano, siguro may gusto lang akong patunayan sa kanila kaya kami gigil na gigil manalo sa kanila,” he added.
Disquitado said that the team was more prepared this time around against a Cotabato Spikers side that has Jau Umandal, Jayvee Sumagaysay, Rex Intal, Steven Trotter, and Madz Gampong, who are all his teammates in the national team pool.
The 18-year-old up-and-coming star also bared that the team’s improved communication, among other things, played a huge role in the upset win.
“Siguro yung difference nung laro namin ngayon kumpara sa eliminations is lahat nage-enjoy, lahat nagtutulungan, lahat naguusap, may communication na sa loob tapos walang bumitaw hanggang dulo.”
