Facing a team who had nothing at stake, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers lost one of their most crucial matches of the season.
The three-time defending champs lost a chance for an outright twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four after losing in five sets to Far Eastern University.
La Salle, who dropped to 10-4 to end the elimination round, will figure in a playoff for the second seed on Wednesday against the surging UST Golden Tigresses.
La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus was far from his usual contentious demeanor after losses. He was more disappointed with his wards, claiming FEU wanted to win more than them.
“Nothing to lose naman kasi sila (FEU). Sa amin, malaking bagay talaga, pero ganoon talaga. Pagdating ng Wednesday, kailangan maghanda. Ang importante, kailangan nila paghirapan talaga kung gusto nilang makarating sa Finals,” said De Jesus.
“Mabigat, pero kailangang tanggapin. Sila din naman may pagkukulang sa loob kanina. Sabi ko sa kanila, ganoon talaga: gusto niyo manalo, pero mas gusto manalo ng FEU. Hindi pwedeng hihingiin natin ‘to, wala namang bearing sa inyo, ganoon. Kung gusto niyo manalo, paghirapan niyo,” De Jesus recalled telling his wards.
“Hindi matutupad ‘yung four-peat niyo kung ayaw niyo manalo.”
More than anything, De Jesus urged his players to forget their loss to FEU and focus on recovering against UST, against whom they split their season series.
“Actually, hindi ko naman sila masyadong pinagalitan. Ni-remind ko na lang. Wala ng galit kasi baka dalhin pa nila ‘yung pagkatalo sa Wednesday. Kailangan na lang matuto tayo sa pagkakamali ngayon,” he said.
“Ang nakikita ko kasi sa team ngayon, pag nanalo, parang nalulula. Kailangan mo gisingin ulet. Parang hindi sanay na nanalo. Parang relax na relax kami kasi nanalo kami.”
