BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro expects to see a refreshed Flying Titans come the winner-take-all Game Three on Tuesday.
This, following a straight-set 18-25, 22-25, 24-26 loss to Chery Tiggo in Game Two of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
“I just want to see their pride. I just want to see the positive mindset. Kasi kanina nung lumamang ‘yung kalaban nagkaroon na ng duda eh. So, I just want them to be positive,” said Almadro after the loss on Monday afternoon.
“For me, blessing delayed is not blessing denied. So what it is is kung anong will ni Lord for us, we will work hard, we will prepare well. Whatever it is, we will ask strength from the Lord and bahala na.”
Almadro lamented that the Flying Titans came in relaxed, which played a part in the sweep.
Choco Mucho stunned the Jaja Santiago-led Chery Tiggo in the opening bout of the series through a balanced offense spearheaded by Deanna Wong — who showed her immense playmaking prowess in the match.
For Almadro, though, if they wanted to advance to the finals, the Flying Titans must show their will to win in the all-important match.
“We came relaxed eh. Then we made an adjustment then Chery Tiggo made an adjustment. Kinapos e. Kumbaga dumikit na kami so merong konting kailangan i-fine-tune and ang importante yung will to win,” said the Spikers’ Turf triple crown champion.
“Medyo kinapos eh. So we really have to think again ‘pag balik, isip ulit. But ‘yung steadiness of will should be there all the time no matter what is the score, no matter what is the set. Kailangan the steadiness of will should be there all the time.”
With their championship hopes clinging to a thread, Almadro challenged his squad to pour their hearts out to extend their tournament life.
“It’s one on one. There will be one team that will lose and one that that will win. We will just play the right way, have a positive mindset, and believe in ourselves.”
