Back in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Volleyball tournament, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons looked primed to make a second straight run to the Final Four after beating defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers and gaining a 4-0 record.
But UP was derailed, losing six straight matches and parting ways with their coach Jerry Yee during the off-season.
Two years later, the Lady Maroons again bested reigning, three-time champion La Salle to bolster their start in Season 81.
Only now, the Lady Maroons know better than to dwell on this success.
“Personally, may goal kami this season — Final Four muna and then championship tsaka na ‘yun. So ‘yung win na ‘to must-win talaga siya very strong team, defending champions,” said Carlos after tallying 19 points, 17 digs, and 18 excellent receptions.
“Tapos na ‘to so kailangan na namin mag-focus agad sa next game namin. Hindi na namin ‘to iisipin kasi, okay, one down. Next game naman, then next round kung paano ulit sila tatalunin,” the 20-year-old native of Pampanga continued.
“Nabanggit nga last last time na natalo namin sila, biglang bumaba ‘yung laro namin. Sabi ko nga kailangan namin magmove on kasi tapos na ‘yun, tapos na ‘yung La Salle game for the first round so focus na kami sa next game namin.”
If that match proved anything, the UP senior insists that her squad is developing the much-needed trust for a long, challenging season.
“Yung will lang talaga ng teammates ko, namin, manalo ‘yung naging bala namin. ‘Yung gusto namin matalo ‘yung La Salle, gusto namin manalo sa league na ‘to, gusto naming magchampion, gusto naming magfinals. For me, ‘yun lang talaga yung nangyari kanina.”
