Kungfu Reyes offered no excuses as the University of Santo Tomas was blanked by National University in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals on Saturday.
Everything that worked for them during their 12-2 elimination round, then their five-set win over De La Salle University in the semis – it was all gone in Game 1.
Instead, they succumbed to the Lady Bulldogs, 23-25, 20-25, 20-25 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, witnessed by 20,955 fans in yellow and blue.
They also suffered a tough loss after super rookie Angge Poyos exited due to injury.
“Masyadong stiff ang galaw namin kahit dulo-dulo pa rin. Ang mga turning point na nagawa namin, second chance points, ang hustle namin sa depensa, at ang blocking namin ay medyo ano… Medyo unusual,” said Reyes postgame.
“Walang ibang alibi, talagang stiff lang ang nilaro ng mga bata at smooth na smooth naman ang kabilang side,” he continued.
But for Reyes, it is what it is. The good thing is that this is a best-of-three series – a race to two wins.
He reminded his Golden Tigresses of that fact in their dugout after what was obviously a disappointing defeat.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Light lang kami sa loob na talagang kailangan lang namin ibalik ang groove, ang timing, at ang rhythm ng mga bata,” said the long-time mentor of UST.
“Natalo kami sa Game 1, pero ang sabi nga namin, huwag mawalan ng character at ng kung ano man ang meron kami. At ang isang bilin namin, walang nananalo ng isang laro sa best-of-three series, kaya kailangan lang namin makabalik.”
For the Tigresses, their task now is to forget about this crushing loss and move on.
For Reyes and his staff, their objective now is to craft a game plan that would push this series to the limit.
Game 2 is on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
And if UST forces a Game 3, it will be on May 18 at the same Pasay venue.
“Ganon talaga ang laro, may nananalo, may natatalo. Napunta kami sa side na ito, at ang importante ay ang susunod na hakbang,” said Reyes.
“Natalo kami, hindi kami magdi-dwell diyan. Gagawan na namin ng paraan ito at alam naman namin ang kakayahan ng team kaya hindi kami nawawalan ng pag-asa, lalo na sa kanila. Hindi namin pinaparamdam na wala na tayong pag-asa. Move forward, gawan natin ng paraan, i-execute lang ulit natin kung ano ang meron tayo.”
UST is eyeing to break a 13-year drought and annex its 17th championship overall.
On the other hand, NU is seeking to reclaim the crown it lost last year to De La Salle University.
