By: Czarina Agaton
Through the pre-season tournaments, FEU-DN Steel opposite spiker Zhydryx Saavedra gained valuable insights, discovering more about his capabilities, the team’s dynamics, and learning from veteran opponents.
Saavedra and his team are still riding high after a recent championship in the V-League, where they dethroned La Salle in straight sets, earning him the Finals MVP award.
“Madami akong natutunan dun eh… na kailangan pala ng katawan ko mag-relax lang. Huwag masyadong sobrang overwhelmed sa laro pag nakaka-score,” Saavedra shared.
“Kasi parang napag-aralan ko na yung sarili ko na hindi dapat pataasin yung heartbeat ko. Hindi ako dapat madala sa emotions. Dun ko natutunan paano mag-adjust sa sarili ko.”
Now, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference – which is a semi-professional league featuring veteran players – Saavedra aims to bring the lessons he’s learned from competing against his “kuyas” into the UAAP.
(C) V-League Images
“Tulad ngayon, mga matured, mga kuya na namin yung kalaban. So, madami kaming natututunan – paano gumulang sa laro, paano yung mindset dapat, yung eagerness maka-score,” he explained.
“Gusto ko ma-apply yung ginagawa ng mga kuya namin at makapag-contribute sa team,” he added.
Saavedra led his team with 21 points, all from attacks. Mikko Espartero also contributed with 17 points, 15 from attacks and two blocks, as they defeated D’Navigators Iloilo, 18-25, 25-16, 22-25, 20-25, maintaining an unbeaten 2-0 win-loss record.
Although Saavedra was pleased with the victory, he knows he can still elevate his performance and offer more in the upcoming games.
“Sa akin, siguro hindi ko pa naibigay yung best ko kasi alam ko may mas kaya pa ako. Pero good thing lang kasi naka-contribute ako, at na-apply ko yung pinagsasanayan namin sa team. So, yun, nakuha namin yung panalo,” Saavedra said.
