Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

Vicente’s ultimatum spurs Lady Warriors to end futility


The University of the East Lady Warriors ended their infamous 58-game losing streak, Wednesday, as they romped the Adamson University Lady Falcons.

The Lady Warriors reportedly had more than just the match on the line. Head coach Francis Vicente had threatened to leave his post if UE surrendered a 59th straight loss.

“May sinabi ako sa kanila pressure, pressure yun para sa kanila eh. If they won’t win, alis na ako, kasi hindi ako sanay na natatalo. So ngayon, sabi ko, pag nanalo kayo nandiyan pa rin ako sa tabi niyo,” Vicente recalled.

Vicente had been the architect of the University of Santo Tomas’ legendary high school girl’s volleyball program, winning so many titles even he could not remember exactly how many.

In just two seasons with UE, Vicente has brought in promising recruits who finally came through for him.

UAAP-78-Volleyball-UE-vs.-AdU-Adorador-6219 Vicente's ultimatum spurs Lady Warriors to end futility News UAAP UE Volleyball  - philippine sports news

” Naturuwa ako sa kanila kasi nakita ko yung maturity nila. Natatanggap na nila ang sungit ko, ang pagiging sadista kong coach, ang mga masasakit kong salita. So yun ang kagandahan doon,” Vicente said in his first appearance in the UAAP press room since he took the reigns for the Lady Warriors. “At first ang daming problema pero yung problema na yun, kaya naman namin i-overcome. Nangyari na iyan, I told them, walang bibigay.” 

“Ang feeling ko, umiiyak ako! Umiyak ako dahil masaya ako na natigil namin yung 58-game na losing streak, tapos straight set pa. Hindi sila bumigay hanggang huli. So yun yung nakikita natin – nagma-mature na ng unti-unti ang team, so hopefully by next year, we’ll be better,” Vicente expressed with tears in his eyes. [READ: Love for his team keeping Vicente going despite embarrassing streak]

#ReadMore  Queeny Reigns: Sabobo’s legacy in Adamson softball

Winning this one match already feels like a championship for a UE community that has been stuck in volleyball obscurity for nearly four years.

“Siyempre nasa isang eskwelahan ka na ilang taong hindi nanalo ng isang game so para kang nanalo ng championship diyan. Tapos yung laro cardiac arrest pa, so iyon ang pinaka-matindi dun,” the multi-titled UAAP juniors head coach added. “Parang atat na atat ka, gusto mo ikaw na lang ang maglaro doon para matapos ang game.”

Yun mga nangigigl ka dahil sa errors na nangyayari, pero normal eh. Kailangan lang nila ang maturity sa loob. Nangyayari na iyun ng paunti-unti.”

For most teams, a 1-13 record brings nothing but shame. For the Lady Warriors, it offers respite for a group of young ladies who have finally slain their demons.

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.


You May Also Like

ADMU

Scoring 34 points or more in a UAAP women’s volleyball game is a rare feat — so rare that it’s happened only five times...

News

Van Bangayan was brought to tears after University of the East suffered a heartbreaking loss to Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday. The returning...

ADMU

Lyann de Guzman delivered when it mattered most. With Ateneo de Manila University on the brink of a meltdown, the Blue Eagles’ captain nailed...

DLSU

De La Salle University bounced back from a second-set stumble, dominating the next two frames to secure a 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17 victory over...

FEU

Far Eastern University fended off a determined challenge from the University of the East, securing a 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 sweep to notch its second...

News

For the first time in their young volleyball careers, sisters Khy and IC Cepada found themselves on opposite sides of the net — not...

News

Defending champion National University made quick work of winless University of the East, cruising to a commanding 25-12, 25-11, 25-20 victory in the UAAP...

AdU

Adamson University regained its winning form with a commanding 25-20, 25-15, 25-12 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87...

Advertisement