ADAMSON NEEDS COMPOSURE VERSUS ‘HARD-SERVING’ LA SALLE, SAYS ASSISTANT COACH
Intimidated no more.
Following their loss to Ateneo both in last season’s race to the semis and the VLeague Finals during the off-season, Adamson has finally overcome the intimidation factor when they swept the Katipunan squad, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, in the first round of the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball Tournament Sunday at the PhilSports Arena.
The San Marcelino crew, led by Team Captain Louie Romero, showed nerves of steel especially in the second set when the Blue Eagles tested their mental toughness and threatened to extend the frame and the match.
“Sobrang lesson sa kanila nung VLeague Finals. Pinaintindi sa kanila na mangyayari at mangyayari pa rin ‘yun sa UAAP hangga’t hindi nila naco-correct,” shared Adamson assistant coach Rald Ricafort.
“Nakatulong rin ‘yung mga games na naipanalo nila para ma-build ang sariling confidence,” he added.
Prior to Sunday’s match, the Lady Falcons got a huge boost of confidence when they swept the UST Golden Tigresses who was fresh from a five-set victory over defending champion National University.
Versus the Lady Eagles, rookie Trisha Tubu took charge of the offense with a 23-point performance, 22 of which were from attacks.
This, Ricafort shares, is a good sign that Romero, who dished 20 excellent sets, was able to recognize who had the hot hands during the match.
“Hindi naman plano ‘yun pero situational. Si Louie binigyan ng marami si Trisha. Based sa viewing namin, naging strategic lang talaga ‘yung pagpili sa kanya,” he said.
On Tubu continuing to soar to new heights as the season progresses, Ricafort says this is a testament that the opposite spiker is already getting the hang of playing on such a big stage.
“Habang nagiging mas comfortable si Trisha lalong gumaganda ang laro eh,” he said. “Nung mga nakaraan sa social media niya kung anu-ano nababasa niya galing sa bashers. Pero nagiging kumportable na siya kaya gumaganda ang laro.”
This kind of calm and self-control is what Ricafort hopes to see more from everyone when the Lady Falcons face the unbeaten De La Salle Lady Spikers on Sunday, 11AM, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“More on sa composure ang importante. Parehas kasi sila ng Ateneo na intimidating. Pero nakalaban naman na nila sa off-season. Naisahan naman nila,” Ricafort told Akari Sports.
On top of the things Adamson needs to work on during the week-long break, the assistant coach adds, are their attacks and reception.
As of March 12, La Salle is ranked first in blocking and second in serving.
“Kailangan ng composure lalo sa pasa dahil hard-serving team si La Salle. Tapos sa attack namin, kailangan maihanda sa tall blockers,” he closed.
