The UST Golden Tigresses apparently are no strangers to playing late in the day after their match versus the Adamson Lady Falcons started just past 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 13.
After a technical issue delayed most of the UAAP games in the day, the match between the UST Golden Tigresses and Adamson Lady Falcons commenced just past 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 13.
Still, it was a fiery battle between the two squads as UST managed to hold off Adamson to secure a four-set victory and remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
But even with the late start to their game, the Golden Tigresses may have seen this as a blessing as coach Kungfu Reyes, who also coaches the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL, was able to arrive early enough to guide his team to victory.
Reyes traveled from Santa Rosa, Laguna where the Crossovers stunned the Creamline Cool Smashers in straight sets.
When asked about the late start of their match working in their favor, Reyes couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sasabihin ko pa bang hindi?,” Reyes quipped.
“Actually, parang mas naging medyo magaan. May delay nga pero siyempre wala namang may gusto pero 'yun na nga, tumama sa amin 'yung ganung pagkakataon. 'Yung basa talaga namin aabutin ng 6 [p.m.] bago mag-start kasi pitpitan ang labanan sa first game pa lang,” he added.
The veteran UST coach arrived with plenty of time to spare as the DLSU Lady Spikers and the NU Lady Bulldogs went the distance in their Finals rematch, with the defending champions taking the close decision.
“Medyo naka-relax naman, ako personally, ng konti kasi coming from games sa Santa Rosa. At least nakahabol, so malaking bagay 'yun,” said Reyes.
But apparently, even the UST players weren’t too bothered with the late start to the match, according to team captain Bernadett Pepito.
“Nasaktuhan lang din na kasi nga ganito 'yung training time namin, so wala namang problema sa amin,” said Pepito. “Kaya namin mag-adjust, charot. Sanay na kami sa mga ganitong oras.”
After four close sets, the Golden Tigresses secured the victory at 10:17 p.m., much to the delight of the UST crowd.
Pepito, meanwhile, further lightened the mood by recalling a previous Golden Tigresses match versus Adamson in the Shakey’s Super League, which finished at around 1:30 a.m.
“Swerte nga kami mas maaga pa ngayon. [Shakey's] Super [League] rematch ng Adamson, madaling araw nung nakaraan. Thank you, Lord,” said Pepito.
Having already marked their best start since the Final Four era, UST will look to grab some well-deserved rest before they prepare once more to do battle in the second round.