Struggling at first, unheralded Kenneth Daynata finally found his groove to help VNS secure two crucial victories, keeping them in the hunt for a semifinal spot in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
Daynata has emerged as a key figure in the Griffins’ resurgence in the tournament.
After enduring three consecutive losses, VNS bounced back with wins over the winless Chichi DHTSI and the veteran-laden D’Navigators Iloilo, keeping their playoff hopes alive as the elimination round nears its conclusion.
The 5-foot-9 outside spiker admitted that adjusting to the team’s system was initially challenging but expressed relief in finding his rhythm just in time to contribute to VNS’s campaign in the season-ending tournament.
“Syempre, sobrang hirap din kasi bagong system ‘yung na-encounter ko sa VNS. I’m so happy naman po kasi kahit sobrang nahihirapan po ako mag-adjust doon sa bagong system, yet nakuha ko pa rin and na-establish ko pa rin ‘yung sarili ko,” said Daynata.
“[Nakuha] ko pa rin ‘yung mga dapat kong matutunan and ma-attain sa system namin and sa goal ng team. Sobrang challenging but at the same time, sobrang worth it naman kasi sobrang pinagpaguran ko rin,” he added.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Daynata delivered 10 points in the team’s 25-16, 27-25, 25-20 win over the Titans before turning in his best performance of the tournament with 18 points on 12 attacks, five blocks, and one ace, along with 10 excellent receptions and five digs, in their 25-22, 16-25, 25-19, 25-19 victory over the D’Navigators.
At 23 years old, Daynata is one of the oldest players on the Griffins’ youthful roster. He credited his up-and-coming teammates for stepping up and embracing their roles, which he believes have been instrumental in the team’s recent successes, bringing their record to 3-4 and placing them in seventh.
“Sabi nga sa lahat ng teams, sa’min ‘yung maraming bata. Siguro ang nakakatuwa lang din po sa mga bata, nakikipag-cooperate sila sa mga seniors, and at the same time, kapag nakikipag-cooperate sila, they are doing their roles din as a player, as a mature player,” said the former Jose Rizal University standout.
“Lagi lang po namin silang gina-guide and nire-remind sa mga dapat gawin nila, and lagi rin naming sinasabi na this Spikers’ Turf is not just a league. Ito ‘yung big exposure para sa kanila para sa future nila—mas bongga pa sila,” he added.
Regardless of the results of their final two games, this batch of Griffins has already earned the respect of head coach Ralph Ocampo for surpassing expectations.
“Actually, we’re just expecting to participate kasi nga pinasok namin ‘yung mga bata,” Ocampo said.
“Now, we’ve exceeded ‘yung expectations namin. Nakatalo kami ng isang malaking club team na mga veteran ‘yung players. Masaya, masaya siya for our team,” added Ocampo, whose program has nurtured numerous up-and-coming talents such as Yoyong Mendoza (La Salle), Kevin Montemayor (San Beda), Jan Mangulabnan (Ateneo), and Barbie San Andres (Mapua), helping them find their footing in both the NCAA and the UAAP.
