With Ateneo de Manila University sinking to 1-2 in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament and losing to archrival De La Salle University for the 11th straight time, people are starting to question head coach Oliver Almadro’s process.
But he is not going to abandon the process when things are not going the Blue Eagles’ way.
“Many people will say, ‘process, process pa rin, we need results’, but sometimes results are a process also.
“You just have to keep moving, doing the things we need to do, especially inside the court,” said Almadro, who’s been at the receiving end of bashing online.
This came after the Lady Spikers asserted their dominance over Ateneo in a blowout, 25-16, 25-20, 25-13, in just one hour and 28 minutes on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles coaching staff utilized 11 of their players against La Salle to give them playing time to boost their confidence.
However, while some performed brightly, others had a lowly display.
“Pinipilit na namin that everyone should gain confidence. Unfortunately, hindi nagsabay-sabay yung confidence ng bawat isa. I guess we have to work on the continuous confidence… nakukuha through tuluy-tuloy na repetitions,” added the Ateneo head tactician since 2018 with one championship under his belt.
“First, kailangan magsabay-sabay yung confidence ng bawat isa, kasi bumabalik na yung iba, yung iba naman bumababa ulit. We have to be confident as a team. Let’s not focus sa sarili,” he continued.
“Sabi ko nga, if you play for yourself, you could be great, but if you play for bigger things than yourself, mas mabubuo pa namin confidence namin.”
On the other side of the net, La Salle rookie Angel Canino just annihilated Ateneo with her attacks, finishing with a game-high 23 points on 21 spikes, a block, and an ace she laced with nine digs and five excellent receptions.
And great performances like that can only help the Blue Eagles be better according to Almadro.
“Well, ever since high school pa lang, promising na si Angel. Talagang ganun talaga yung ikikilos niya, especially dahil confident siya, confident yung buong team. Nane-negate yung confidence ng katapat niya sa amin,” said Almadro, who’s been having a winning season so far with Petro Gazz in the Premier Volleyball League at 4-2.
“I’m sure, hopefully, that team that pushed us now will just push us forward. Lagi kong sinasabi, those great teams will always push us forward.”
Ateneo looks to get back on the right track on Wednesday when it faces fellow 1-2 Far Eastern University at 12 pm at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
