With their backs against the wall, Odjie Mamon challenged University of Santo Tomas to rise to the occasion as the Golden Spikers aim to force a deciding Game 3 in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament Finals.
UST became the first fourth seed to advance to the Finals in the Final Four era.
But it went crashing back to the ground thanks to the ‘four-peat’ seeking National University, 17-25, 24-26, 19-25, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Of course, ang main challenge ko sa mga players ko, lagi ‘yan, tatlong bagay ‘yan. They play their best, they learn, and they enjoy ‘yung learning and effort nila,” said an upbeat Mamon after the deflating loss.
“’Yun lang ang inaano ko, ‘yung number two, ma-fulfill nila, they learn. Natalo kami ngayon, natutunan namin ‘yung pagkakamali, what is right, kung ‘yun ang maano nila, that’s a big win for us. ‘Yun lang ang i-push ko sa kanila,” he added.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
The Golden Spikers who showed up against the Bulldogs yesterday were far from the team that toppled the top-ranked Far Eastern University by beating them twice in the semifinals en route to their historic run to the finale.
Mamon said that the team must focus on lessening their errors and remain positive heading into Game 2 to have a shot at bouncing back and staying alive in the gold medal series.
“We are back on the drawing board. Akala ko kasi nung second set makaka-recover kami. Unfortunately, ‘yung errors, ‘yun ang pinakamarami namin in the match, ‘yung second set,” said Mamon.
“I will challenge the players to wake up and have the sense of urgency during the match. ‘Yun lang ang magiging focus ko on the remaining days we have to prepare for Game 2,” he added.
“Kung gusto mo talaga, tataas ‘yan. So, ‘yung mindset na never say die, hindi ako… ‘I will give my best, I will play my best, ‘yun lang.’ Sana nga more positivism ang inaano namin kasi nandirito na kami.”
