The DLSU Lady Spikers were back to their winning ways after a clean sweep of the Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.
The DLSU Lady Spikers were able to regain their bearings as they bounced back with an emphatic sweep over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, for their first win in UAAP Season 87 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Saturday.
Apart from being able to avoid a 0-2 hole and barging into the win column, decorated head coach Ramil De Jesus was glad to see his players compete with their trademark confidence.
Matched up with an equally capable Shaina Nitura-led Adamson, De Jesus said that the Lady Spikers realized their competitiveness with the victory, which was a totally different complexion from their listless loss against the defending champions NU last week.
Instead of doubling down on something negative, the Lady Spikers were able to recover in time, injecting positivity into their campaign.
[RELATED: Angel Canino, La Salle repulse Shaina Nitura’s Adamson for first win in UAAP Season 87]
“Sa tingin ko kulang namin [nung natalo kami] is kumpyansa pa. Dahil sa first game namin medyo nagkulang sa paniniwala sa sarili and sa team. At the same time siguro dahil bago rin ‘yung setter na nagse-set sa team,” said De Jesus.
“Doon sa mga pinagdaanan namin nung game nung Sunday, may mga natutunan ‘yung mga bata na kailangan nila ma-overcome ‘yung pressure, nandiyan naman palagi ‘yun eh… Nung third set [against Adamson], ‘yun na lang, maganda na ‘yung third set. Medyo maluwag na, relax na maglaro. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung kailangan matutunan ng team.”
La Salle found themselves in unfamiliar territory heading into their game against Adamson, as it was a rare occurrence that the Lady Spikers lost in their first game of the season with their last opening-day loss coming way back in 2013.
Faced against a team that was coming from a big win against Ateneo for their bounce back, coach RDJ's players — particularly the setters — were able to recover from their first game jitters, performing well under pressure.
It was a fortunate development for DLSU as a loss would’ve put La Salle in its first 0-2 start in 20 years.
“Actually, ‘yun lang naman ang sinasabi ko pa lagi na sa setter, last time first game mo ‘yun sa UAAP. Ngayon second game mo na, hindi na pwedeng pa laging rookie ka sa ginagawa mo. Kailangan medyo (okay na),” said De Jesus.
“Last time sinabi ko na kung gaano katibay ‘yung setter, ganun katibay ‘yung team. Magtiwala lang [ako] doon sa gagawin niya,” he added.
Still, with a long way to go in the season, De Jesus wants his players to continue learning their identities, and hopefully, the change in mindset also comes with a change in their results.
“‘Yung [nawala] pagdating sa loob ng court eh ‘yung confidence nila. Kasi last Sunday, hindi ganun eh. Nangangapa. Nandun naman ‘yung buong tiwala ko naman na nandun sila, pero ‘yun ‘yung unang unang inalis nila sa sarili nila na dapat maibalik,” he said.
De Jesus’ veterans led the push in the team’s first win of the year as Angel Canino led the team with 15 points, while Alleiah Malaluan added 16 markers.
Rookie setter Mikole Reyes led the playmaking with 15 excellent sets in the win.
Over on the Adamson side, Nitura led them in the losing effort with 16 points as well.
La Salle thus aims to make it a win streak when the Lady Spikers face the UST Golden Tigresses on Wednesday in the main game. Adamson battles UE as the prelude to the double-header at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.