Julia Coronel has already experienced multiple ups and downs in her first and final year as De La Salle University’s main setter and team captain.
There were times when she was benched in crucial moments. There were times when she was singled out during timeouts.
Still, the 5-foot-9 playmaker braved on and continued to try to meet the demands required of her by the Lady Spikers.
And it was all because of seizing the chance given to her, an opportunity that had eluded her for a long time.
Coronel had her rookie year back in Season 82, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Then in Seasons 84 and 85, she played behind Mars Alba.
“Pinanghuhugutan ko po ‘yung pinagdaanan ko.
“Kumbaga, I was in the team — this is my fifth playing year na, and throughout that whole time, second setter lang ako, backup setter lang ako, and sinasabi lang sa akin ni coach na ito na ‘yung opportunity ko so it’s either I grab it or pakawalan ko,” said Coronel on Saturday after La Salle’s win versus FEU.
“Of course, matagal ko na itong hinintay, so ito ‘yung nagiging hugot ko every time I’m on the court, mahirap nga paminsan ‘yung pinagdaanan ko.”
Deputy coach Noel Orcullo also praised the work Coronel has put in to be La Salle’s number one setter this season.
At the end of the first round, Coronel was the league’s third-best setter with an average of 3.88 excellent sets per frame. She also ranked third in service with 0.36 aces per set.
“’Yung growth niya nandiyan na, tuloy-tuloy naman ‘yung performance niya na maganda. Hopefully, masustain. Nakikita naman namin every training and every game she keeps on improving hopefully masustain hanggang matapos ang tournament at madagdagan pa at tumaas pa ‘yung magandang performance,” said Orcullo.
The 23-year-old Coronel also credited the coaching staff’s “tough love” for her recent performance.
She went for 16 excellent sets and two blocks against the Lady Tamaraws at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Regarding sa tough love, I think kahit papaano nasanay na rin ako, and I think it’s good for all of us kasi the more na tough sila sa amin, the more na ibig sabihin may gusto pa silang makita sa amin,” said Coronel.
“Kapag tumahimik na ang mga coach, ibig sabihin either wala ka nang pag-asa or mataas na ‘yung nilalaro mo,” she continued.
“Dahil may naririnig pa kami kahit papaano, that means na meron pang kulang sa amin, at lahat kami aware naman doon, and we just embrace the challenge na binibigay sa akin ng coaches.”
