Ateneo de Manila University was able to handle business against University of the East in four sets, 25-17, 25-23, 24-26, 25-10, on Wednesday.
But after the game, the Blue Eagles went immediately straight to their dugout and spend the next 40 minutes there in a long meeting.
“I just reiterated mga details.
“Sinabi ko ang details why it happened. Too much siguro expectation ko in this game kasi we want to bounce back convincingly but medyo sa first two sets, especially sa third set medyo parang hindi ko nakita yung gusto kong makita especially in executing our skills, our fundamentals,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro on what was talked about. “Medyo dinetalye ko kung ano pa yung need pa namin iimprove going to the next games if we want to win pa.”
Captain Faith Nisperos acknowledged that their best might not have been performed against the Lady Warriors, who came back from as 24-22 hole in the third with four straight points.
But the Season 84 2nd Best Outside Spiker emphasized that she has no doubts that the Blue Eagles can figure it out.
After all, it’s just their second game in the tournament that will have all teams play at least 14 games.
UE was coming off a downer 25-19, 25-9, 25-5 loss to Adamson University in its season opener before facing Ateneo.
“It’s more of an internal thing na what we need to is to strengthen our organization inside.
“Yung gusto naming performance nagagawa namin sa training and hindi lang naipapakita so it’s there. It’s just a matter of how we’re going to show it sa game,” said Nisperos, who had a team-high 14 points.
“I am not doubtful naman pagdating sa team ko, it’s just that it’s our time and our efforts na kailangan namin maipakita dito sa game. It’s more of ano yung motivation namin sa games kasi lahat naman ng teams lalaban at lalaban. There are teams naman na we know na kaya namin pero it’s a matter of showing our character and how we’re going to win,” she added.
Almadro knows that his team has talented pieces and it’s just a matter of how he will put them together.
He also added that his Blue Eagles should always be in their A-game regardless of who the opponent is, be it the top seed or at the bottom.
“I think naman my team is not that poor. I have players that are talented we just have to put it up together and as I’ve said, UAAP is different than other leagues,” said Almadro.
“Proper mindset going there, mabigat man o mahina ang kalaban, it should be the same every game.”
Despite the win, obviously, Ateneo was not satisfied and they vow to make their “best better” in their next game.
Up next for the Blue Eagles is a showdown against long-time rival De La Salle University on Sunday, 3 pm, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Super happy kasi a win is a win pero I’m sure na mas marami pa kaming maipapakita and I’m sure also na my teammates hindi kami papayag na ganito lang,” said rookie Geezel Tsunashima who produced 13 points.
“We’ll show a better performance next time.”
