Santa Rosa City has turned heads ever since the start of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference last August 30.
This despite two crushing losses of separate fashion, a 17-25, 15-25, 22-25 defeat against Marck Espejo and Cignal, while dropping a close one over VNS-One Alicia, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 28-30, 13-15.
And on Tuesday, the young Lions finally entered the win column with a 25-20, 17-25, 25-17, 25-23 conquest of Ateneo de Manila University-Fudgee Barr at the Paco Arena.
“Masaya po kasi nanalo tapos shinashoutout ko ‘yung mga bashers namin na walang tiwala, na hindi kami mananalo dito,” said Gabby Hernandez, who finished with nine points on seven attacks, a block, and an ace for Santa Rosa.
But the 15-year-old Hernandez and the whole Lions squad are not in the country’s first men’s volley league just to look for experience.
Santa Rosa, coached by Edu Lirio, is a young team. The oldest player on their roster is 18. And still, they have to compete against the best and brightest in the men’s division.
To name two, the Lions will have encounters with Marck Espejo, who had stints in Japan, Bahrain, and Thailand; as well as Jao Umandal, who played for Bani Jamra in Bahrain too early this year.
“Siguro makaka-gain kami ng experience pero hindi kami pumunta dito para lang mag-gain ng experience, pumunta kami dito para manalo,” added Hernandez.
And that spirit to win games was in full display against the Blue Eagles.
After Ateneo-Fudgee Barr leveled the match after a 25-17 second frame, Lirio berated his youthful wards’ effort.
The response after was commendable as Santa Rosa City bounced back with a 25-17 third before sealing the game with a 25-23 squeaker in the fourth set.
“Nakita niyo naman po nung third set nagising gising. Isang sakit din ng mga bata talaga na kailangan may masabi pa, na kailangan paulit-ulit pa ipaalala sa kanila ‘yung kailangang gawin,” said the bench tactician.
Up next for them will be another college squad in National University-Sta. Elena on Saturday at 2:30 PM at the same venue.
