After absorbing their eighth loss in 11 games last Saturday, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons are virtually out of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball Final Four picture.
Still, first-year head coach Godfrey Okumu won’t stop pushing his Lady Maroons.
Their season has been marred with reception problems and a predictable offense, so Okumu wants the Lady Maroons to develop the concentration and focus needed to win.
“It’s not easy to lose. Nobody wants to lose. Everybody wants to go play hard and win games.
“Again, I believe that we prepared well, but sometimes, if we don’t stick to the plan, we really have to face the music of losing,” sighed the Kenyan tactician. “Sometimes you prepare well, but we don’t play as per the plan. Sometimes, our players don’t pay attention or concentrate.”
Okumu, who took over from Jerry Yee last year, also pointed at their dilemma in the setter position.
Currently, they are using their first option setter, Ayel Estrañero, as a de facto hitter to patch up their reception and defense woes. While Rem Cailing is doing a good job as the main playmaker, Okumu is still looking for more.
“As I say, if Ayel would be the setter, probably we’d be having different results. If she turned setter, however, we’d need to find someone to defend and receive,” Okumu conceded. “That’s a risk we cannot take. We did it before and we had very bad results the first few games. We just have to do with what we have.
“The setter that we have, Rem, we’re hoping that she gets better. She’s a good setter, but as I said before, usually it’s concentration and consistency.”
With three games left, Okumu wants to continue building a culture of hard work and dedication
“As I said before, we’re building and we’re still building. It’s so hard to build. We have come so far and I believe we can get better. If these games still had three to four months, then you’ll see us as a better. But, I cannot talk about next season, it’s too far away. But, you’ll see more of me,” Okumu shared.
“Year 81, 82, and probably 84, you’ll see more of me. You’ll be asking me different questions.”
