Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
UAAP 80 Volleyball UP vs. ADMU – Godfrey Okumu-2946
UAAP 80 Volleyball UP vs. ADMU – Godfrey Okumu-2946

News

Lady Maroons breathing life into Godfrey Okumu’s ‘finish strong’ call


When the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons lost their eighth match in 11 tries, barely anyone from the media wanted to talk to Godfrey Okumu, save for a few UP campus journalists.

Although visibly weathered by the string of losses in his first UAAP campaign, Okumu still mustered his signature positive disposition.

“We’ll finish strong,” he vowed. The Kenyan tactician said other things, but he guaranteed the UP supporters were not going to end the season disappointed.

After the Holy Week break, the Lady Maroons immediately made true on their coach’s vow, slamming the free-falling National University Lady Bulldogs.

Proving that their resurgence was not a fluke, State U out-worked their Katipunan neighbors Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in what could be the shock of the season.

“You know what I’m about to say?” Okumu said to open their post-game press conference following their win over Ateneo, flashing an assuring grin.

“Finish strong. That’s what we came to do and that’s what we did and I hope on the next coming game in the weekend, we will try to do the same we will just have to finish strong.

“We’re still trying to build up but we’re almost there,” the first-year tactician pointed out.

At 5-8, the Lady Maroons have an outside chance at the Final Four if they win their final game against the UE Lady Warriors and both the NU Lady Bulldogs and the Adamson Lady Falcons lose their final matches.

UAAP-80-Volleyball-UP-vs.-ADMU-Molde-3116 Lady Maroons breathing life into Godfrey Okumu's 'finish strong' call News UAAP UP Volleyball  - philippine sports news

Regardless, the Lady Maroons are happy to play without pressure.

#ReadMore  Blue Eagles need to show top-seed edge to survive on Wednesday, says Mike Nieto

“Siyempre, ‘yung chance namin sa Final Four medyo tagilid so sinasabi na lang namin na no pressure, laro na lang,” closed UP ace spiker Tots Carlos, who tallied 22 points against Ateneo.

“So ayun, kita naman sa laro na no pressure, laro na lang. Kita naman sa laro na nag-e-enjoy na lang and enjoy every point and walang kahit ano eh sobrang saya lang talaga.”

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.


You May Also Like

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas women’s and men’s beach volleyball teams completed a flawless sweep of the elimination round on Sunday, asserting their dominance in...

News

CANDON CITY – Back in action after four months, Tots Carlos expressed heartfelt gratitude to her Creamline family for their patience and support during...

News

CANDON CITY – In a rematch of the Reinforced Conference Finals, Creamline reaffirmed its dominance over Akari, sweeping them 26-24, 25-17, 25-16 to secure...

ADMU

Adamson University joined the University of Santo Tomas and National University in the women’s Final Four after sweeping its Saturday matches in the UAAP...

ADMU

‘SEVEN-PEAT’ seeking University of Santo Tomas and National University continued their unbeaten run to secure the two Final Four slots in the UAAP Season...

News

University of the Philippines has added seasoned Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy as an assistant coach for the upcoming UAAP Season 87, slated for February...

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas (UST) and National University (NU) continued their dominance in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate beach volleyball tournament, with both their...

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas’ Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella started their quest for a seventh consecutive championship—and a record 10th women’s title overall—with a...

Advertisement