The De La Salle University Lady Spikers surprisingly lost to the National University Lady Bulldogs earlier today. DLSU had never lost a match to NU in the elimination round in recorded history.
It was a big deal for the NU Volleyball program. But it was perhaps a bigger deal for the mighty Lady Spikers, who now look as vulnerable as ever.
Head coach Ramil De Jesus admitted that his team lacked on-court leadership.
“Hindi pa malaman kung sino ‘yung magli-lead ng team sa ngayon. Medyo inconsistent pa ‘yung leadership sa loob ng court,” De Jesus told reporters after the match. “Minsan kapag nandiyan si Ara (Galang), akala nila si Ara pero marami namang seniors na dapat asahan. Naghahanap pa siguro ng magii-spark bago sumunod yung team.”
Aside from Galang and middle blocker Mika Reyes, De Jesus says that he is still looking for his team captain, Kim Fajardo, to play better both as the team’s playmaker and leader.
“Sa ngayon hindi ko gusto ‘yung nilaro ni Kim. Medyo mababa ‘yung pinakita niyang performance today – leadership and playing-wise,” the decorated mentor said.
La Salle surrendered a massive 31 errors that, according to De Jesus, were a sign of his team getting intimidated.
“Siguro hindi lang naexecute nang tama ‘yung dapat gawin ng team. Kaya nung nakuhanan kami ng first set, naintimidate na,” the multi-time UAAP Champion mentor added.
“Kailangan maexperience ng mga bata matalo para makita ‘yung mga mali. Kaya sabi ko sa kanila, dalawang bagay lang ang pupuntahan ng team – it’s either sisisid kayo o umahon kayo,” De Jesus closed.
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers will try to bounce back from their first loss of the season on Saturday against the Adamson University Lady Falcons at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
