Volleyball coach Shaq Delos Santos was a busy man last Saturday as he handled three beach volleyball teams–Petron XCS, Petron Sprint 4T, and FEU–in the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup.
His teams compiled an overall record of 3-2 after Day 1:
Petron XCS’ Bang Pineda and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas won their opener against Accel Quantum Plus, 21-7, 21-9.
Petron Sprint 4T’s Maica Morada and Ces Molina split their two assignments, winning over Standard Insurance-Navy B, 21-17, 21-14 before dropping their match against F2 Logistics, 21-10, 21-16.
Lastly, FEU’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyle Atienza also split their two matches, winning over Meralco, 21-14, 21-12, before losing to RC Cola-Army A, 19-21, 21-16, 15-13.
Asked to assess the three squads’ respective performances, Delos Santos said he was satisfied but at the same time, he wants all three teams to make adjustments.
“Happy, pero kailangan ma-push pa namin. Gagawin na lang namin yung best namin,” Delos Santos said. “Sinasabi naman namin ang goal namin is quarterfinals.”
Delos Santos shared Morada and Molina haven’t had much time together to train last week due to other commitments, but he is still hopeful they can do better the next time they hit the sand courts.
“Doon sa dalawa, yung naglaro ng two games, yung service receive lang ang kailangan naming madevelop. Then yung kina Maica and Ces, kailangan mag-practice pa kami ng mabuti,” Delos Santos said.
“Yung nakaraang week kasi, hindi sila masyadong nagkakasabay sa training dahil may work si Maica at si Ces may commitments din. Hopefully, next Saturday, maging mas maayos yung laro nila. Doon kami nagkulang.”
As for the youngest duo of Pons and Atienza, Delos Santos said the Lady Tamaraws just need learn from the competition for more experience.
“Kina Pons namin, breaks of the game lang. Dikit lang yung laban, sobrang ganda. Contender din yung nakalaban nila. Well-experienced na yan na player. Sabi ko, gain lang tayo ng experience para mag-improve pa especially may ibang tournaments pa kaming sasalihan,” Delos Santos said.
Looking ahead, Delos Santos is eyeing more consistency from all three teams as they try to make it to the next round.
“Of course, kailangan maging consistent pa lahat. Marami pa kaming makakalaban sa susunod. Hopefully makuha pa namin sa practice,” he said.
