In volleyball where errors could easily translate to points, even the smallest of lapses in communication can heavily change the complexion of a game.
Newcomers Marinerang Pilipina Lady Skippers realized the need to work on their communication last Tuesday when they suffered a sweep at the hands of Generika-Ayala Lifesavers.
Marinerang Pilipina head coach Ron Dulay felt that her newly-assembled team – comprised by collegiate standouts at the forefront such as Cesca Racraquin, Judith Abil, Dimdim Pacres, Chiara Permentilla, to name a few, flanked with a couple of veterans – has yet to play with more cohesion as a unit. And facing an intact and veteran-laden squad in Generika-Ayala made it evident.
“[Kahapon] parang medyo masyadong mabagal ‘yung ginalaw namin,” said Dulay. “Kasi base sa two days na ensayo namin, ang ganda e, [kahapon] parang nablangko lang.
“Pagdating doon sa crucial points, doon na lumalabas ‘yung pagiging baguhan, bagong samahan.”
Having struggled for the majority of the game, Lady Skipper Dimdim Pacres did not mince her words when asked about their performance moments after the loss.
“Feeling ko ‘yun ‘yung pinakapangit na laro namin,” rued Pacres, the lone twin-digit scorer for Marinerang Pilipina with 11 points.
“Sobrang ibang ginalaw namin noong first game namin kesa ngayon,” she continued, citing their close-shave, three-set defeat at the hands of Sta. Lucia on opening day. “Like nakita niyo naman noong first and second sets.
“‘Di namin alam kung anong nangyari like ang lamya, hindi kami nagsasalita, hindi kami nage-enjoy.”
Though the lopsided theme ended in the third chapter of the game, in which Marinerang Pilipina showed grit and staged numerous comebacks in an attempt to turn the tides, their resurgence was a tad late as the streaking Lifesavers completed a sweep.
“Doon lang lumabas kung paano kami maglaro,” the UST standout lamented. “Noong third set, [doon pa bumawi], which is minimal nalang ‘yung chance para makabawi.”
While the Lady Skippers found themselves at an early disadvantage with a 0-2 card, Dulay believes that his team can bounce back from this adversity, for as long as they communicate more on the court.
“Kaya naman namin. ‘Yun nga lang talaga nawawalan lang sila minsan ng paguusap sa loob,” Dulay bared.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘yun ang dapat natin trabahuin na dapat ‘yung communication mas lalo namin mapatibay pa,” he furthered.
“Hindi ‘to natatapos sa dalawang talo basta every game kailangan natututo tayo.”
Having the same solution in mind, Pacres asserted the need to interact and trust one another whenever they’re on the playing field.
“More usap pa kami like sa loob ng court then magtiwala sa sarili at sa coaches namin at sa teammates. Magfocus rin talaga at magusap.”
