University of Sto. Tomas rookie Ypril Tapia admitted that she was elated to be compared with Golden Tigresses legend Sisi Rondina after her impressive showing in the team’s five-set triumph over Adamson University on Tuesday.
“Nakakataba po ng puso, so yun po. Masaya po, masaya po matawag po na bagong Ate Sisi,” Tapia told reporters after the win.
The 5-foot-4 dynamo out of First City Providential College scored three points which included back-to-back aces in the fifth set to give UST a quick 7-2 advantage. The Golden Tigresses eventually sealed the deal, 12-25, 25-19, 25-22, 18-25, 15-9, against the Lady Falcons.
Tapia, who came off the bench in the first set before starting in the next four, finished with 11 points on nine attacks and two aces.
This is not the first time that the rookie spiker stepped up for UST in a five-setter. Last Thursday, Tapia punched in the crucial points for the Golden Tigresses to fend off the Lady Spikers.
But aside from her on-court brilliance and high-leaping ability, her work ethic during practices is her biggest similarity with Rondina, according to UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes.
“The way kasi again, same thing actually di niya pa masyado nakikita pa ‘yun, kasi nga di naman niya nakasama si Sisi,” said Reyes who, along with Rondina and Eya Laure, led the team to the UAAP Season 81 finals.
“Pero kami as observation ‘yung work ethic ang pinaka ano e. Medyo ‘yung similarity nila ni ‘yung attitude towards training. The way sila mag training parang sila naglalaro or more than that basta pagkadating sa ensayo aside pag dating sa real game ‘yun na sila e,” he added.
Make no mistake, Tapia is grateful for all the kind words and praises that she has received in her young career. But, she has also made it known that she wanted to build a name for herself and not just wander behind the shadows of her second idol Rondina.
“Sa akin po, para sa akin po maganda po tawagin ako ‘yung bagong Sisi, pero mas gusto ko po gumawa ng bagong pangalan ko po as Tapia po talaga,” said Tapia, who also said that the player she idolizes the most is Alyssa Valdez.
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