Despite absorbing their first loss of the season, De La Salle University Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus was a picture of calmness.
The Lady Spikers had just dropped in five sets to the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons. De Jesus saw his team’s effort but admitted that UP was just hungrier.
“Wala, puro motivation lang kasi first time namin naka-encounter ng sobrang hirap talunin eh.
“Mas gusto ng kalaban na manalo kaya sabi ko sa kanila ‘yun ‘yung naging factor; mas ginusto nila manalo,” said the 11-time UAAP champion seeking a fourth straight championship.
In 21 years of coaching, De Jesus has seen plenty of teachable moments that directly led to his team’s eventual rise. His team was hobbled against UP as Des Cheng had a shoulder injury while May Luna played through a swollen face.
The Lady Spikers were in the match up until the final stretch where an attack error from Luna propelled UP to the win. Developing precision is on top of De Jesus’ priorities.
“Actually, nakita ko kasi ‘yung mga unforced error like ‘yung na sa amin na ‘yung momentum kami ‘yung pumuputol ng momentum so ‘pag lumayo, hahabol na naman,” lamented De Jesus.
“So marami pang galaw dun na halos di pa magkakakilala like ‘yung easy ball na dadating biglang mamatay ‘yung bola kasi di nagkakaintindihan. Mga ganun, unforced errors.”
De Jesus wants the Lady Spikers to stay focused on their goal and not dwell too much on their loss.
“Sabi ko kailangan mag bounce back. Importante lang ‘wag tayo magpatalo ‘yung goal natin na gusto natin ma-reach goal so dapat mag bounce back tayo,” he disclosed.
“‘Yun muna ang una, wag muna natin isipin yung championship. Isipin natin paano makabalik, wala di ako nagalit sa kanila. Walang sisi na ikaw may kasalanan, wala. Basta motivation lang ginawa ko sa kanila.”
