Looking at UP’s huge win over DLSU in
women’s volleyball
by rick olivares
Following the De La Salle Lady
Spikers’ three-set loss (25-22, 25-21, 25-19) to the hard-charging University
of the Philippines Lady Maroons yesterday, I had this momentary though that
reminded me on an incident the previous season.
Last year, both Ateneo and La
Salle were undefeated heading into their encounter to close out the first
round. The former were the two-time defending champions while the latter were
two-time bridesmaids. The latter came out with an intensity that Ateneo was
unable to match and they were undone in three sets with their deficiencies
exposed.
I felt the same way with La
Salle’s loss. For sure it isn’t easy when you lose key players to graduation.
There’s the matter of rebuilding and rearing younger players.
Looking at the Lady Spikers, they
still have a very good team. The loss to UP could be a bump on the road or a
sign of things to come because as many as six teams are competing for a Final
Four slot. The hunter, La Salle, is now the hunted.
What hurt them was the lack of
experience for key starters – Eduke Ogunsanya and Tin Tiamzon. That translated
to some uncharacteristic confusion and poor attacks. As Ogunsanya soaks in more
big game experience, she will get better. And I see her as a nice complement if
not replacement for Majoy Baron. I believe it is also the same with others. May
Luna has a great debut last season but she saw her playing time dwindle as Kim
Dy took center stage.
It is that lack of experience
that saw them come out rather cool than with a lot of energy. A stark contrast
how they took to the floor in their first round encounter with Ateneo last
season.
La Salle has a good team in the
making. I like head coach Ramil De Jesus’ willingness to go to his bench. Two
years ago when Ateneo nailed its back-to-back title at De Jesus’ wards’
expense, that is when he pulled out Desiree Cheng and gave major minutes to
Baron who flourished with the opportunity given.
Arriane Layug and Michelle Cobb
showed glimpses of their potential in their short stint on the floor as the
subs got La Salle back in the game.
Up next for them is dangerous
National University. However, the Lady Bulldogs could be vulnerable if setter
Jasmine Nabor still feels pain in her knees because Laarni Aberin isn’t ready.
How both sides respond to their current adversity will be interesting to
follow.
Looking at UP, this win will
greatly boost their confidence. People were concerned about burnout as they
played a lot of pre and post-season matches. At one point, they looked it that
is why head coach Jerry Yee opted to play his bench. It looks like the months
before the start of the season afforded them some rest (although we do know
they were training) and they do not look tired at all.
They know they are good and that
gives them plenty of confidence. Their energy wavered but that is where the
veterans step in. Tiamzon and Kathy Bersola supplied the leadership,
consistency, and timely points. When their youngsters got their second wind…
boom!
I like how Yee has moved players
around. Arielle Estrañero moving to the setter position is a good move. That
actually gives him flexibility. There’s Mae Basarte, Nicole Tiamzon who is as
versatile as they come, and Rose Cailing who is waiting in the wings and
received a lot of playing time during the past V-League season.
Having said that, the setter
position still has room for lots of improvement. I thought that Estrañero had a
lot of dicey sets that either translated into poor attacks or ones that found a
way through because either Nicole Tiamzon improvised or they scored off a check
ball.
Justine Dorog is all right at the
libero position as Princess Gaiser finds her way back. I think Dorog’s switch
gives Tots Carlos more room to grow. I figure Dorog will be back to her old
position either midway this year or after this campaign.
The Lady Maroons can hit. The
remarkable change is their floor defense. La Salle struggled to find holes in
UP’s defense. The net defense though is still wanting. But as I said earlier,
they will build on this.
The more wins they rack up their
confidence will soar. Especially if they can take down inconsistent UST this
coming Sunday.
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