The Adamson University Lady Falcons had a rousing start in the Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship with a straight-sets victory over the Arellano University Chiefs yesterday, September 18.
However, there was one Lady Falcon noticeably missing from the lineup in Adamson’s first game: main setter Angge Alcantara.
“Angge had a toothache na the night before the game and hindi siya nakatulog because of the pain to the point na umiiyak na sya sa sakit,” Head Coach JP Yude revealed.
Alcantara’s services were hardly needed though as talented veteran Nikka Yandoc and rookie Jao Cuenca handled playmaking duties and orchestrated Adamson’s sweep over Arellano.
“It was a good first game for us even though there are things na nangyayari na di namin control like yung main setter namin di nakapag laro but yung dalawang (back-up) setters namin nagstep up, and all of them na naglaro, they gave their best to win the first game,” said Yude.
Alcantara, who took home the Best Setter plum in the SSL National Invitationals last month, is a vital cog for the San Marcelino-based squad’s title hopes.
But in situations like yesterday, Coach Yude was confident that Yandoc and Cuenca could carry the load left by Alcantara.
“We adjusted based doon sa tinetraining namin na kahit sino ipasok kaya mag deliver. Masaya ako sa pinakita nilang laro at tiwala ako na kaya nila kahit na biglaan ang nangyari at wala sa plano namin,” said Yude.
The young mentor also praised his coaching staff for keeping the girls in tip-top shape.
“Siguro it always happens sa training especially sa strength and conditioning training ng mga bata. We continue to improve it everyday and I really appreciate all the coaches who really help these ladies improve everyday,” he added.
This is what the Negrense coach has time and again preached to his wards since he took over the team, and the Lady Falcons have always answered the call.
“I tell them na maging aware palagi because sa mga uncertainty na nangyayari and always be ready. We can’t control everything but we can control how to respond to those situations.”
