March 16 was a perfect day for Kungfu Reyes.
And it took an inconvenience that turned into a blessing in disguise to achieve that perfection.
Entering the day, Reyes had a dilemma as both of his teams, Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League and University of Santo Tomas women’s squad in the UAAP, have scheduled games and the venues are too far apart.
Those games also have a great impact on both teams.
The Crossovers, who were coming off a crushing straight-sets defeat to up-and-coming Farm Fresh, were booked to face defending champion Creamline at 2 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in the province of Laguna.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses were looking to complete a first round sweep when they battle Adamson University at 4 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
That dilemma was solved after the UAAP experienced technical difficulties on the court, moving the first serve time of the opening game of the quadruple-header from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“Bago pa lang ako umalis ng bahay tinitingnan ko yung Pilipinas Live kasi alas diez na sabi ko ‘wala pa akong nakikita’ kasi nagbibreakfast pa lang ako kasi papunta ako ng Santa Rosa by 11 aalis ako, sabi ko ‘wala pa’ tapos suddenly nagmessage sa group si sir Rod Roque yun na nga may delay so binagalan ko nang konti yung pagkakape ko,” said Reyes.
Then in the Laguna side of things, Reyes and her Crossovers did their homework and did it on the court on their way to a rousing stunner over the Cool Smashers, 25-18, 26-24, 25-23 for an early out in Santa Rosa, paving the way for Reyes to reach the Big Dome in time.
Chery Tiggo stopped a two-game skid to improve to 3-2 while also ending Creamline’s 19-game winning streak. The Reyes-mentored squad also handed the Cool Smashers their first loss via sweep in almost five years.
Over in the Quezon City side of things, it was extension after extension as the NU men’s team needed four sets to beat La Salle in the first game followed by a five-setter win by the UST men’s squad over Adamson.
The rematch of last year’s Finals in the women’s division also reached five sets as La Salle edged out NU.
By the time the Golden Tigresses entered the court for their supposed 4 p.m. match, it was already 7:30 p.m.
UST though came to finish the job and earn that impressive first round sweep after defeating Adamson in four, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 28-26.
“Actually parang mas naging medyo magaan na may delay pero syempre wala namang may gusto pero yun na nga tumama sa amin yung ganong pagkakataon,” said the long-time UST tactician.
“Luckily, medyo nakaabot at nakapagpahinga. Actually, nakakain pa ako eh, ang dami pang kwentuhan eh. Naabutan ko yung first set ng ano (La Salle vs NU women) mamaya-maya fifth set na. Medyo nakarelax naman ako konti kasi coming from game sa Santa Rosa, takbuhin in two hours at least nakahabol so malaking bagay pa rin,” he continued.
With many kilometers traveled, many huddles, and many stressful moments, Reyes’ day was still immaculate, thanks to the spectacular performances by his teams — and that blessing in disguise.
