Kalel Legaspi faced a significant challenge when he was thrust into the role of main setter for University of Santo Tomas’ boys’ volleyball team last season. Having spent most of his career as a libero, the transition was not easy.
Despite the difficulties, the then-17-year-old stepped up for the team, pushing through the challenges that came with this sudden change in position.
Legaspi admitted that the experience took a toll on him, but he learned to persevere for the sake of the team.
Reflecting on the season, he said, “Mabigat po kasi ‘yung pinagdaanan namin last season, kasi nga ako po, ako nga ang naging setter bigla. Siguro, ginawa namin ‘yun as stepping stone po para ‘yung eagerness namin sa pagiging champion makamit po namin.”
The adjustment was overwhelming, both physically and mentally.
He added, “Kasi po siguro ‘yung last year, sobrang laking adjustment po, sobrang hirap po. Sobrang laking problema po sa mental health actually. Parang ngayon, mas kailangan ko lang i-improve ‘yung kailangang i-improve. And as a team din po, kailangan lang po namin talagang maging organized.”
Now, returning to his natural role as libero and shouldering the additional responsibility of being the team captain, Legaspi feels that UST is on the path to redemption.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
He expressed confidence in his team’s progress and discipline, saying, “Mag-stick lang kami sa sistema nila coach, sa sistema po namin sa UST. Siguro mas ginagawa lang naming maging organized ‘yung play namin as a team. And ginagawa lang naming as one ‘yung galaw namin, para mas magandang tignan sa court at mas ma-execute namin ng mabuti ‘yung system in coach.”
Legaspi is also applying the leadership lessons he learned from being the playmaker last season to his current role as captain.
He reflected on the unique opportunity he had in leading the team as the setter, saying, “Ang sarap din po kasi mag-lead, especially ‘yung setter nga po, siya ‘yung driver ng team. Mas nakakapag-lead ka po kasi ikaw ‘yung nagpapatakbo ng bola ng mga spiker. Yun lang po and siguro sa pagiging libero ko po ngayon, parang mas nakakausap ko naman sila isa-isa kung ano ‘yung dapat na gawin sa court and sa labas rin ng court.”
With the team currently undefeated after five matches, Legaspi believes consistency is key to sustaining their success.
“Five-zero po kami so far this season, so, kailangan lang po siguro naming mag-stick sa sistema; kailangan lang pong sumunod sa mga sinasabi ng mga coach. At kailangan lang magkasundo kami sa loob ng court,” he emphasized.
As the season progresses, Legaspi remains focused on their ultimate goal.
“Siguro i-set aside po muna namin ‘yung mga bagay-bagay and mag-focus po kami sa UAAP. And kailangan rin po naming mag-improve; ‘yung eagerness po namin, kailangan pang tumaas kasi may round two pa po. Kasi alam ko pong mas babawi pa po (‘yung mga kalaban namin) sa ‘min,” he concluded.
This level-headed approach from their captain has set a strong tone for the Junior Golden Spikers as they aim for a deep run in the UAAP season.
