Written by Akari Sports Staff
FINAL Four-bound La Salle seeks to elevate its level of game several notches higher against a Far Eastern University side trying to gain a piece of third place Wednesday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Assured of a 16th consecutive Final Four stint, the Lady Spikers’ next goal is to secure a twice-to-beat incentive at 3 p.m, and if things fall into place, starting with the clash with the Lady Tamaraws, an outright Finals berth is not far-fetched.
Coming off a 17-25, 17-25, 25-18, 17-25 loss to University of Santo Tomas, FEU is raring to wheel back in contention and remain in the top four range.
Although the De La Salle Lady Spikers have shown significant improvement this season, as evidenced by their unbeaten 10–0 record, head coach Ramil de Jesus continues to push his squad to stay motivated as tougher battles lie ahead.
De Jesus knows that with the talent pool, the Lady Tamaraws could match up well with the Lady Spikers, and it all boils down to execution and in-game adjustments.
“Para sa akin kasi every year, nage-evolve yung volleyball so kailangan humabol kung ano man yung meron kasi hindi pupuwedeng iwan ka doon kasi kung hindi ka hahabol sa ganong klase ng level mapagiiwanan ka. Yun ang para sa akin,” said De Jesus after La Salle made quick work of the University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20, last March 29.
“Kailangan kung ito lang yung materials mo, pilitin mo. Ilabas mo yung talent ng mga bata and then ipush mo sila yung talent nila makita din nila and yun nga mailabas din yung talent. Ang hirap kasi pag ka potential lang yung bata tas di mo malabas yung talent. Pag yung kulang kailangan paghirapan mo para mailabas nila yun and then para makatulong sa team,” De Jesus added.
One major factor behind La Salle’s rise is its setting department, where rookie Shan Nunag has stepped up, holding her own against the league’s more seasoned playmakers.
Then, of course, the Lady Spikers’ No. 1 weapon throughout their 12 championship runs, blocking, where Amie Provido tops in that department.
When things get tough in the crunch, Angel Canino and Shevana Laput will do everything to will La Salle to victory.
“Nagfo-focus kami doon sa one game at a time. And kung anong puwede namin gawin, baguhin as a team and individual talaga. And yun yung maganda kasi nagagawa din siya namin na… and na-apply namin sa mga games namin,” Canino said.
Sporting a 6-4 record, a win will put the Lady Tamaraws in a tie with the Tigresses in third place and will only trail by a game in the race for the No. 2 spot. Defending champion National University holds an 8-3 card.
A loss will push FEU into a tie with idle Adamson in fourth spot at 6-5. After the Lady Spikers, the Lady Tamaraws will take on the Fighting Maroons on Sunday and will play the Lady Falcons in an April 18 match-up that has huge implications for the No. 4 slot.
