Despite suffering a five-set heartbreak at the hands of La Salle, Khy Cepada gained a much-needed confidence boost following a breakout performance that saw her take charge for UE last Tuesday night.
The Lady Warriors fought hard and pushed the defending champions to their limit, but it was not enough as they bowed down in five sets against the Angel Canino-less Lady Spikers, 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cepada fired a game-high 23 points on 19 attacks, two aces, and two blocks to go along with six excellent digs in the game that saw UE climb back from a 1-2 deficit before eventually crumbling down in the fifth.
“Yung thoughts ko lang po sa game ay kaya ko naman po pala. Kaya ko namang palang sumabay sa mga teammates ko,” said Cepada.
“Actually, kaya ko rin namang maging ahead sa kanila. Yung sa game po ngayon kasi, just like laging ginagawa ni Doc Obet kahit sa bus, sinasabihan niya ako na, ‘Cepada I need you,’” she added.
She said that she will use her recent performance to help the Lady Warriors, who are now on the brink of elimination with a 2-8 standing, make one last push for the Final Four.
After seeing what she can really do, Cepada also said that she’s eager to deliver more in their upcoming games and step up for UE.
“It will serve as an inspiration po. Tapos parang sasabihin ko na dapat lamangan ko pa yung 23 points na to. Kung kaya pa to 25 to 30, kung kaya, kakayanin ko, kasi sayang po yung pinaghihirapan po sa training eh,” said Cepada.
Cepada thanked assistant coach Obet Vital for giving her the trust that she needed to confidently showcase her skills.
“Ano po, grabe po talaga yung trust na binibigay ni Doc. Kasi may times di ba Doc na kahit binebench mo ako ng first set, babalik mo ako ng second set. Ganun po kalaki yung tiwala ni Doc sa akin, kasi nakikita niya kung paano ako mag-train eh,” she shared.
“Sinasabi niya, ‘Cepada, you can do bounce ball. Why doesn’t it translate sa game?’ Dun pa lang po, parang nag-aano ako na ay, naniniwala pa pala sa akin si Doc. Di siya naggi-give up sa akin. Dapat ibalik ko rin yung trust na yun. Dapat mag-trust pa siya sakin na kaya ko. “
