Despite being one of the more exciting teams this season, UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes wants his team to have stronger starts and lesser errors in order for them to improve their current 2-4 standing.
As the season began, their slow starts against some teams eventually led to a lot of 0-2 holes. Just like in their five-set loss to the Adamson University Lady Falcons, and four-set losses to the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, and the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, they would amass huge third set wins but the 0-2 holes they dug themselves was too deep to recover from.
“Every down by two [sets] kami, hindi kami nananalo. Lahat ng apat na talo namin na iyon, lahat iyon is first two sets talo kami [tapos] babalik lang kami ng third [set],” Reyes commented. “Okay lang kung nakaka-fourth set pa dahil nanalo ng third [set], kaya lang hindi kami nakakakuha ng pundasyon sa first two sets.”
“Either manalo kami ng isang set agad [pero] nahihirapan kami bumalik: makukuha lang namin sa third set, consistent kami sa ganoon eh.”
In addition, Reyes cited that UST must play more efficiently in order to avoid unforced errors. In the Tigresses’ four losses so far, they have been averaging 36 errors per outing.
“So ngayon, ‘yung error pa rin ‘yung talagang nagpapahirap sa amin,” Reyes added. “Nagpapakahirap kami gumawa ng puntos pero nagbibigay namin [din] kami ng puntos sa kalaban.”
Nonetheless, Reyes still has high hopes for his team despite an up-and-down start. The losses may have been a tough pill to swallow, but the way UST gave it their all cannot be taken for granted.
“Heto pa rin, hindi pa rin kami titigil. Optimistic pa rin ang team na makakabalik kami,” Reyes followed. “Kung sino magbigay ng 100 percent na performance, iyon na ang mananalo.”
However, UST must find a way to regroup quickly because their next match will be against a red-hot De La Salle University team this coming Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Center. For the Tigresses to be in the thick of things for a Final Four slot, winning games should be at the top of their list.
“Sabi ko kung ganyan [pa rin] ang lalaruin namin, ilalampaso kami ng La Salle sigurado. [Pero] kung pwedeng talunin, bakit hindi?” Reyes closed. “Kasi bilog naman ang bola [not] unless pagtatrabauhan lang talaga.”
