By: Christian Dave Ruiz
University of Santo Tomas is back in the UAAP Boys’ Volleyball Tournament finals, finding their missing piece in new setter Jeff Abalos.
Junior Golden Spikers’ team captain Pao Medino praised Abalos for his significant contribution to the team’s campaign this season.
“Super malaking tulong po, kasi ‘yon naman po talaga ‘yung isa sa mga puwesto na kulang talaga kami last season – setter,” Medino said.
He went on, “Kaya thankful din po kami na nagpe-perform din po siya [Abalos], saka pinagtitiyagaan niya din po ‘yung tinuturo nila coach sa kanya.”
Abalos, who averages 3.17 excellent sets per set, spearheaded the Junior Golden Spikers’ semi-final victory over Adamson University.
He had 13 excellent sets, three blocks, and one service ace to help secure UST’s ticket to the championship.
UST head coach Clarence Esteban also acknowledged the pivotal role their young playmaker played during the elimination and playoffs.
“So talagang laking tulong na, legit na setter na talagang makapag-perform ng maayos, then yung adjustment namin dun sa spiking namin. Kaya nga kahit nahihirapan kami sa umpisa, pinilit pa rin namin na kunin yung sistema na ‘yon. Yun nga kahit papano nakadating kami sa finals at medyo na-adapt na namin yung mga dapat namin [i-adapt],” Esteban remarked.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Junior Golden Spikers finished outside the podium in Season 86 after losing to the reigning champions, National University, in the semifinals.
“Kasi ine-aim naman po namin manalo, kaso iba po ‘yung level ng ibang team noon. Super kumpleto po nila unlike sa’min, pero pinupush naman po namin na manalo sa games namin last season sadyang kinapos lang po rin kami, medyo kinulang kami sa tao,” Medino reflected.
With Abalos’ addition, UST has performed exceptionally well this Season 87, finishing the elimination round atop the standings with only one loss, guaranteeing at least a silver medal.
“Kanina nga po actually, naalala ko din po na parang pagdating namin dito kanina, parang dito kami natalo last season – ‘yun ‘yung nag-motivate sa’min,” Medino shared.
“Isa rin ‘yun sa parang motivation ko ngayong araw, na parang aalis ako dito sa Filoil ngayong araw na kailangan papasok kami sa finals.”
Apart from their Finals return, the Junior Golden Spikers are now more determined to clinch UST’s second UAAP Boys’ Volleyball title with a complete lineup.
“Super happy po kasi syempre papasok na po kami ng finals tsaka natapos po namin yung laro na safe po lahat, walang injuries. Siyempre, di pa po kami titigil na pagtrabahuhan pa po kasi di lang po yung goal namin is makapasok ng finals, siyempre pipilitin at pipilitin po namin na kunin po yung championship,” Medino declared.
