The quest for Adamson University’s permanent libero continued as opposite spiker Lucille Almonte took the role on Thursday.
This as the Lady Falcons’ coaching staff felt the need to improve their passing, hence, the midseason adjustment anew.
Hannah Infante was Adamson’s main libero in its first two games but Rochelle Lalongisip slid to that position in its last five games of the first round – both playing sparingly with Princess Balang.
This time around, Almonte, who had 70 total points in the first round, was plugged in the defensive specialist role.
“Something new,” said Lady Falcons head coach Lerma Giron.
“We know lack kami sa passing, eh maayos ‘yung passing [ni Lucille] so kumbaga ginawan namin ng paraan.”
The Almonte as libero experiment worked in the first two sets but ran out of gas against University of Santo Tomas, 26-24, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 12-15, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
But Giron was happy with what she saw in Almonte, smoothly sliding to her new role.
“I’m satisfied naman kaso ‘yun nga may mga pagkakataon na bumibigay pero so far all in all, nakita naman natin gumana nang maayos ‘yung mga middle natin dahil sa mga pasa,” Giron on Almonte, who was the only libero fielded by Adamson.
Aside from their passing woes, another reason for the Almonte shifting to libero was to utilize more wing spikers who were usually off the bench.
May Ann Nuique and Kate Santiago were usually playing sparingly, but with the adjustment, they both played spectacularly for the Lady Falcons.
Santiago logged 18 points to go with 13 digs while Nuique registered 16 points and 15 digs.
And the Almonte shift should also serve as a lesson for other hitters in the Adamson squad.
“Itong experience na ito maganda para sa kanila. Maisip sana nila na pag hindi ko pala pinagbutihan as wing spiker ganito ‘yung mangyayari sa amin,” said Giron.
With Almonte, Infante, Lalongisip, and Balang getting chances in the libero spot, the question for the next game is who will it be?
But as for Giron, she’s keeping mum.
“Surprise!”
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