The Petron Blaze Spikers looked dominant, but F2 Logistics head coach Ramil De Jesus still believed his wards could take them down.
The Blaze Spikers went into Game Two of the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Finals riding a 13-game winning streak – including a three-set romping of the Cargo Movers in Game One.
Facing a team on a mission, De Jesus knew F2 Logistics could bring out more than what they gave in Game One, even if most of his players had injuries.
“Every game kasi, papakiramdaman mo ang mga players kung merong off o hindi. After ng Game One, sabi ko sa kanila noong training, tapos na, so kung gusto nating bumawi, bawi na lang tayo. And eto, nag-work naman noong Game Two,” the three-time PSL champion coach said.
“Sabi ko kilala ko kayo eh. ‘Kung hindi ko kayo kilala, maaring maniwala ako na ganoon lang ang laro niyo,’ sabi ko sa mga bata. And then sa practice, nag-correct lang kami ng kaunti, mga blocking lang siguro.”
He also urged his players to play for the loyal gallery of Cargo Movers fans that painted the SM Mall of Asia Arena bleachers yellow.
“So sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Yung lahat ng nakikita niyong naka-yellow dito, yun yung mga taong umaasa at sumusuporta sa inyo.’ Sabi ko, ”Wag namang lumabas na kahiya-hiya yung laro. So ganoon lang,'” the most decorated volleyball coach in UAAP history shared.
“Ayun, kako ang mga taong naniniwala sa inyo.”
Come Game Three, De Jesus expects a tight competition. Both teams have split four previous championships. Game Three is not only a series rubber match – it is also a decider for the rivalry.
“As long as dumating ang opportunity na kaya naming manalo, gagawin namin. So, hindi naman kami naglalaro para maglaro lang or para sa sarili lang namin. Naglalaro kami para sa mga taong naniniwala doon sa team, at sumusuporta doon sa team.”
