It seems head coach Ramil De Jesus is left grasping at straws at how to fix his team’s struggles. The 10-time UAAP champion mentor was visibly frustrated when La Salle lost their first match to Adamson since Season 70, hitting at his team’s pride.
“Sabi ko sa kanila na ang baba nang nilaro nila. Sabi ko na parang di jersey ng La Salle ‘yung suot nila, parang jersey ng pambarangay kasi pambarangay ‘yung nilaro nila. Hindi pwedeng ganoon, nasa UAAP tayo,” he recalled telling his players.
The Lady Spikers were beaten at their own game as Adamson tallied 13 blocks to their six. De Jesus also pointed how poorly his sophomore setter Michelle Cobb played compared to Adamson’s veteran playmaker Fhen Emnas.
“Definitely, na-out set ‘yung setter namin 43-28. So malaki ‘yung masyado,” De Jesus noted, referring to excellent sets.
“‘Yung talo namin sa NU, breaks ‘yun. Itong against Adamson kita na mas aggresive ‘yung Adamson sa floor defense, attack, even sa service at block. Gusto talaga nila manalo.
“‘Yung maturity siguro kulang. Ito na nga ‘yung sinasabi ko na ‘yung maturity ng setter. May mga times na ‘yung decision making niya hindi match doon sa nangyayare. Makukuha pa ‘yun sa experiences niya dito sa UAAP bago maging matured,” he furthered.
This does not bode well for La Salle who takes on rivals Ateneo on March 3 in a rematch of the past six UAAP Finals.
“[Uunahin muna i-address] Problema muna sa team kung meron man inside. ‘Yung skills meron na ‘yan. Siguro ‘yung kumpiyansa din ng setter kung paano mababalik. Kung di lalabas ‘yung character, problema ‘yun kasi di La Salle ‘yun,” he rued.
“Itong mga klaseng game (La Salle-Ateneo) ‘yung mga nakaka-mold sa’yo as a player. Kung magre-respond sa ganoong pressure, edi maganda para sa kanya and para sa team.”
