Earlier in her career, Lady Tamaraws setter Kyle Negrito had to deal with making a name for herself in a long line of prolific former FEU playmakers.
Now in her final playing year, the 21-year old is carving her own reputation as a scoring setter, most evident in her recent run of games.
In Game Two and Game Three of the PVL Collegiate Conference semifinals, Negrito was the bane of UST’s play. The graduating setter stacked 12 points off eight aces, three attacks, and a block to go with 25 excellent sets in FEU’s Game Two win.
Then she went for another 12 points built on five attacks, four blocks, and three aces, mixed with 22 excellent sets in the series-clincher.
As the most experienced setter in the tournament, Negrito was glad to get the Tigresses off their backs. With FEU sporting more veterans than their storied rivals, Negrito knew she and the Lady Tamaraws had a lot to prove.
“Before pa kasi noong Game One, sila nakalaban namin. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakabawi kami nitong mga most crucial na laban,” she said.
“Sabi namin na kaming mga fifth playing year na kailangan mapakita namin ‘yung experience and mabigay na namin lahat. Kailangan panindigan namin ‘yung pagiging veteran namin.”
Negrito scores with a purpose. Her float serve has caught numerous receivers off guard, while height helps the Lady Tamaraws maintain a solid blocking core at all times.
Scoring, it turns out, keeps Negrito motivated and focused on the match.
“Siyempre, hindi naman ako nagi-spike. Para sa akin, ‘pag nakaka-point ako, ‘yun ‘yung nagiging morale-booster ko.
“Ang sarap sa feeling kapag nakakatulong ka sa team mo. Sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko na tatrabahuhin ko ‘yung mga kaya kong itulong sa team,” the native of Cavite admitted.
The Lady Tamaraws will go for gold against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons. After back-to-back runner-up finishes in the last PVL Collegiate Conference and in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, FEU desperately want to bring the gold back in their proverbial Green and Gold.
“This time, hindi na kami papayag na first runner-up lpang. Pagte-trainingan namin nang maigi para makuha ‘yun.”
