Joan Monares heeded her coaches’ challenge and stepped up in the University of the Philippines’ four-set victory over University of Sto. Tomas in the 2022 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge, Wednesday.
According to assistant coach Kirk Beliran, they noticed that Monares was always hesitant when approaching for attacks early in the match. He eventually pulled the sophomore spiker to the side and told her to just play her game.
“SI Joan, may potential siya basta’t ‘wag lang siya mag-doubt sa sarili niya kasi minsan natatakot siya. Ayun, kaya kanina binigyan ko siya ng instruction na ‘wag siyang matakot sa blockers niya kasi kayang kaya niya pumatay,” said Beliran after the game.
“Minsan kasi kino-control niya yung atake niya kaya minsan nageerror talaga siya. Pero may potential talaga.”
It was all smooth sailing from there as Monares went on to finish with a team-high 15 points – after scoring just four in the team’s debut win against San Beda – on 14 attacks. She also had 12 excellent digs in the 28-26, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25 win over the Golden Tigresses at the Paco Arena.
The Fighting Maroons moved up to 2-0 after the victory and are now a win away from sweeping Pool B.
For her part, Monares said that she was just trying to regain her touch after playing subpar in the team’s previous games.
“I just play my game. Kasi kung nag-start yung other league, alam ko sa sarili ko at masasabi ko na off yung laro ko doon. So ngayon, binabalik ko lang,” Monares said.
“Siguro kasi the past games, especially dalawa yung nilalaruan naming liga ngayon, kailangan naming mag-adjust lagi. In terms naman sa training, kailangan naming mag-sipag everyday na every time na mag-lalaro kami, kung ano yung pinapakita namin sa training yun yung pinapakita namin sa laro,” she added.
Moving forward, Monares bared that she plans to use the V-League as her personal training ground as she aims to become an all-around player for UP in the upcoming UAAP season.
“Siguro consistency lang din sa spiking, service, blockings, being consistent lang sa paglalaro and as much as possible less yung errors.”
