UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez reminded his players to keep going no matter what the score is after of slow starts and sluggish finishes hound the Golden Tigresses early in UAAP Season 87.
The UST Golden Tigresses barged into the win column in UAAP Season 87 after they drubbed a gutsy UE Lady Warriors squad in four sets, 28-26, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15, in the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Saturday.
But for assistant coach Yani Fernandez, there is much left to be desired, especially in the mentality of his players.
Though they got the victory over the win-hungry Lady Warriors, UST looked flat during some stretches of the game, especially where the Golden Tigresses allowed UE back into the match — not because of their attacks, but because of errors.
[RELATED: Angge Poyos, UST Golden Tigresses fend off gutsy UE for first win in UAAP Season 87]
In the four-set victory, UST gave up a whopping 29 errors, which the Lady Warriors gladly took. Though they’re taking the win, Fernandez believes there is more to work on.
“Well sinasabi ko nga sa kanila every timeout, we always keep the good momentum, so ang daming pamigay [na points] na ni-remind din namin sila kung i-iscore man yung kalaban, paghirapan nila. Hindi yung kami, ibibigay lang namin ng napakasimple, napakadali,” said Fernandez after the game.
“Hayaan namin paghirapan ng kalaban yung puntos nila. Kasi normal yun eh, pupuntos at pupuntos yan. Pero yung mga napaka-mapagbigay na error, di na dapat. Kaya may mga tendencies nung sets na lamang kami tapos hahabulin kami tapos aarangkada. Yun lang naman,” he added.
Fernandez further underscored those types of habits can make or break the games, much like UST almost squandered a 23-18 lead in set 3 after UE got within one, 23-22. In that stretch, two of UE’s points were off of errors.
Understanding that they may not be as lucky next time, Fernandez knows his players need to work on it more.
“Battle of good momentum ang volleyball eh. So nasa good side yung momentum, malaki yung tendency talaga na kayo yung mananalo,” he said.
The victory thus propelled UST to 1-1 thanks to Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos’ 22 and 21 points, respectively.
Marga Altea provided a spark after an injury to Kyla Cordora as she finished with 10 markers.
Khy Cepada led UE in the losing effort as they fall to 0-2 with a 20-point outing including four aces. Van Bangayan ended up with 12 points.
UST hopes to take some momentum from the win when the Tigresses face the DLSU Lady Spikers on Wednesday, February 26. On the same day, UE battles Adamson as the Lady Warriors seek their first win of the season.