De La Salle University strongly felt a 6-foot-6-sized gap in the middle during its Game 1 loss against University of Sto. Tomas in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge semifinals last Wednesday.
Josh Magalaman, who was expected to deliver for the two-peat-seeking Green Spikers, struggled throughout the opener and finished with only five points in their 25-22, 23-25, 15-25, 16-25 loss to the Golden Spikers.
“Yun yung isang naging absence namin nung Game 1. ‘Yung middle blockers namin medyo nagkulang so sabi ko kailangan mag-step up sila,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque, urging Magalaman and the rest of the middle blockers to step up.
With their title-retention bid on the line, Magalaman heeded his coach’s call and stepped up big time in Game 2.
The former Adamson University middle blocker was the high-point man for the Green Spikers, unloading a game-high 13 points on seven attacks, four blocks, and two aces to lead the 25-18, 25-20, 25-23 win over UST last Sunday.
(C) V-League Images
“Yun nga po ‘yung naging motivation ko kasi nga po last game, off po ‘yung mga middle. Naisip ko na kailangan kami sa team para makuha ‘yung Game 2. Ginawa ko lang ‘yung best ko and sinunod ko lang ‘yung tinuturo ng mga coaches samin,” shared Magalaman.
Magalaman said that he and the rest of the team worked doubly in practice and studied the Golden Spikers carefully ahead of the do-or-die Game 2.
“Siguro mas nag-prepare lang po kami ngayon kasi ‘yung last game namin is talo. Siguro inaral lang namin ‘yung galaw ng UST, inaral lang po namin ‘yung kung sino po ‘yung pumpatay. Nag-viewing po kami, in-apply namin sa training tapos nagawa naman po namin sa laro,” he said.
Personally, the young middle blocker was very happy with how he bounced back and promised to help La Salle make its return to the Finals by taking care of business in Game 3 on Wednesday.
“Super happy po ako kasi alam ko po sa sarili ko na ginawa ko ‘yung very best ko and ayun, nagawa ko naman ‘yung trabaho ko.”
