Most struggling UAAP teams have had one specific skill in which they have been disastrous.
For the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles and the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, service reception has been the key talking point. For the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, injuries and finding support for ace Cherry Rondina have been the culprit.
For the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, setting has been the glaring problem. Through their first three games, the Lady Tamaraws have relied on third-year converted playmaker Gel Cayuna to steer their offense. But Cayuna has been either disastrous most of the time or struggling to toss consistently.
Against the De La Salle University, a game in which FEU managed to rally back from a two-set deficit, the Lady Tamaraws were deflated by consecutive bad sets from Cayuna in a crucial stretch during the deciding set.
FEU head coach George Pascua was at a loss while discussing Cayuna and Kyle Negrito, their backup setter.
“Unfortunately, ‘pag pinasok mo yung isa, same pa rin ang ginagawa.
“Yun ang mga bagay na gusto kong gawan ng solusyon pa. Okay naman sila sa training eh. Walang problema. Pagdating lang sa court. Doon pa. Naging habit ba nila yun?” Pascua confessed, as his Lady Tams coughed up 46 errors stemming from their inconsistent setters.
“Yun ang gusto ko baguhin. Sana bago mag-second round, yun ang maayos nila. Yun lang talaga ang problema namin. Ang mindset at yung decision-making ng mga setters. Kailangan maging consistent sila sa mga binibigay nilang set,” the decorated mentor added.
For now, Pascua expects his veteran spikers, Toni Basas and graduating Bernadeth Pons, to do their best with what their setters are giving them.
“Sabi ko kasi sa kanila (Pons and Basas), team effort yan eh. So kung ano yung binigay ng setter ninyo, pagtiyagaan niyo na lang. Bilang beterano, diba, wag na kayo mamili ng magandang set, kilala niyo naman ang bawat isa,” the FEU great shared.
“Tulong-tulong na lang.”
