The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons must now cope without ace winger Isa Molde, as she went down with an ankle injury against the Ateneo de Manila University.
UP have to adjust to the loss of their most versatile player and a consistent double-digit scorer, as they chase a Final Four spot with a 5-4 record.
Captain Tots Carlos is hungry to return to the Final Four, a feat they last achieved in her rookie season, Season 78. Still, even without Molde, Carlos is confident UP have ways to succeed.
The Pampanga native will have to adjust the most, shifting to the left pin from her preferred right pin position.
“Hindi naman kami trinain ni coach na isa lang ‘yung tutok namin. Tinuruan kami to be… Kumbaga sa alon, sunod ka sa alon,” said the 20-year-old Carlos, who was the MVP of the 2019 PSL Collegiate Grand Slam – a campaign they won without Molde.
“Kung anong ibigay sa’yo, ‘yun ‘yung accept mo. Hindi kami pwedeng maging choosy. Team ‘to, so kailangan namin magtulungan. Sa training, hindi lang naman opposite or open ‘yung pinapalo namin, both sides pinapalo namin. Nagkulang lang talaga kami sa passing and sa defense.”
For now, the 5-foot-6 spiker rues their second straight-sets loss to Ateneo this season. She can only hope that they make the Final Four and have another shot against the Lady Eagles there.
“Siyempre, nasasayangan kasi gusto naming bumawi from the first round, kasi ang panget ng performance namin noong first round,” she said.
“Hindi kami pwedeng mag-dwell lang sa loss na ‘to. Marami pa kaming games. Andoon ‘yung kailangan namin manalo sa lahat ng games namin kung gusto namin makapasok ng Final Four.”
