For a team seeking a three-peat like the De La Salle University, veterans are crucial to success in the long haul that is the UAAP season.
The Lady Spikers rely heavily on their graduating core players to be consistent and buck slow days as quickly as they can.
Against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, the Lady Spikers had been on the verge of another disappointing after a strong start in the first set, as they fell silent and allowed the Lady Tams to take a 2-1 sets lead.
It was obvious; the Lady Spikers were missing contributions from their seniors.
“Actually noong second and third sets, sila (veterans) rin ‘yung nawala,” pointed out La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“Kaya sabi ko walang magbubuhat nitong team kung lahat tayo mahihirapan sa adjustments ng FEU.
“So noong dumating yung fourth and fifth, sabi ko dapat naka-adjust na tayo kasi nagawa na nila, nakita na natin kung ano ‘yung ginawa noong second and third. So dapat adjusted na tayo nung fourth and fifth,” the decorated mentor narrated.
Luckily, De Jesus’ most trusted pupils pulled through and gutted a fourth set win, before clobbering the Lady Tamaraws in the decider.
No veteran dominated more than middle blocker Majoy Baron. The Tarlac native dominated at the net and on serve, finishing with 18 points off 13 attacks, five aces, and three blocks.
“Siguro inako lang namin ‘yung responsibility na kailangan fifth set, nandoon na ‘yung character namin,” the reigning UAAP Women’s Volleyball Most Valuable Player shared.
“And yun, nakita naman na yung teammates ko nag-effort and teamwork talaga yung nangyari.”
Having been to the UAAP Finals for the past four seasons, Baron knows her team still has room to peak.
“May mga lapses pa talaga kami na kailangan naming i-address,” closed Baron, who is the SMART Sports Player of the Day.
“Magandang sign for us na nakakabangon kami kapag nalalamangan, pero we know na we can always do better.”
