By: Jonash Dannug
Having the defending champions Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers down on their knees already deserves a celebration for some as it’s not a familiar sight seeing the Ranran Abdilla-led squad in a five-set struggle against a lowly team.
That is why when the VNS VC Griffins blew their chance of delivering the fatal blow – Tony Koyfman was devastated.
“Ang sakit, like sobrang sakit,” the New York-born spiker said.
The fifth set headed to a deuce thanks to Philip Bagalay’s heroics. However, with the game tied at 16-all, Abdilla blocked an airborne Koyfman giving a 17-16 advantage to Air Force.
Abdilla then followed it up with an attack from the left wing to finally seal the hard-fought game.
Just right after the ball touched the ground, Koyfman went down while covering his eyes.
“We were literally there. It felt like a Disney movie.
“We had it, and then you know, that’s how volleyball works, you have it one minute and then wala,” continued Koyfman.
“It hurt me deep inside, but I would never take it against my teammates or my team. If anything, I would have taken it upon myself,” he expressed.
“Because it’s me that needs to push even more for the next one.”
Koyfman disclosed that they were really anticipating their match-up with Air Force, mostly because UAAP Most Valuable Player Bryan Bagunas isn’t available for the Go-for-Gold-backed squad.
“If anything, I definitely wanted it. We were practicing for this game, kasi we have an advantage kasi walang Bagunas, walang a couple of players,” said Koyfman.
“I’m not upset dahil we lost but I’m upset kasi saying talaga. Regardless, win or lose, I’m definitely grateful to at least be here and just give it my all.”
However, with the game already cast in stone, there’s no other way but to move forward for the one-time UAAP champion.
Photo by Gelay Davocol
“I just think that if we work a little bit more on serve [and] receive, we should be fine,” he said.
“Jeremy [Merat] is improving. Wewe [Medina] is improving. Si Pemmy Bagalay, sobrang improving. The more we keep pushing, for sure you’ll hopefully see us in the playoffs.”
