Fresh off the national team training camp in Taiwan, Lloyd Josafat delivered right away when called upon by University of the East in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament opener on Saturday.
The 6-foot-2 Josafat, who played as a winger instead of his usual middle blocker position, arrived just yesterday leading to his request to the coaching staff to not put him in the starting lineup.
But nonetheless, he was one happy spectator in the first frame as the Red Warriors cruised to a 25-18 win.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi nag-perform yung mga kasama ko kasi nga three years nawala tapos pagbalik nanalo kaagad,” Josafat said after UE disposed of Adamson University, 25-18, 25-22, 25-14.
He was not a cheerleader throughout though as UE needed him in the second frame when the Soaring Falcons kept in step with them.
Josafat though was ready when his number was called along with a new-found confidence he got in Taiwan.
“Sobrang na-boost yung confidence ko na yun nga kasama ako sa national team pool. Pagbalik ko dito, yung attitude doon sa national team dinala ko dito sa UE para mas mag-click kami lahat,” shared the 22-year-old spiker from Zambales.
Assistant coach Ronwald Dimaculangan opted to rest Josafat but felt the need for an energizer when UE entered the second technical timeout ahead by just a point, 16-15.
Enter Josafat. Enter energy.
Josafat dropped four of his 10 points in the second frame, three coming off backrow kills, to seal the deal for the Red Warriors.
“Actually yun yung naging usapan naman with Lloyd eh, siya naman mismo nagsabi na coach hindi ako magfi-first six muna but I’ll be ready,” said Dimaculangan.
“Siguro napansin ko kailangan ng sparkplug para lumayo so that’s the time na sinabi ko na sige Lloyd pasok ka na and he delivered as expected.”
