They’re about to embody the UP fighting spirit under new leadership.
After a hot start to Season 84, the UP Women’s Volleyball Team (UPWVT) fizzled out. It ended up with a 5-9 slate, which was good for sixth place only in the standings. Lady Maroons captain Jewel Encarnacion witnessed how her squad faltered, but she is now confident that the root of the problem has already been addressed accordingly. The talented outside hitter was as honest as she can be with her assessment.
“’Yung unang na-observe ko na medyo kung saan kami nag-struggle is ‘yung fighting spirit talaga. ‘Yun ‘yung hinahanap namin. Nasaan na ‘yung will to fight? Nasaan na ‘yung kagustuhan manalo? Why are we letting fear conquer us?”
The team captain, however, has a good reason to be optimistic as her squad is starting to build a tighter bond.
“This time around, ang nakikita ko talaga na nabi-build namin is ‘yung tibay. ‘Yung tiwala sa sarili, tiwala sa teammates na kaya namin ‘tong gawin… ‘Yung lalaban ka as a team, not as an individual. ‘Yun po ‘yung talagang nakikita ko na one of our improvements,” Encarnacion said.
One of the main reasons behind the renewed passion of the UPWVT is their new head coach, Shaq Delos Santos. According to Encarnacion, their new mentor put in a lot of work to get to know his personnel before having the team undergo rigorous training.
“Talagang napaka-patient niya po. Kinikilala niya kami individually, ‘yung strengths namin, weaknesses namin, ‘yung attitude namin as a player… This time around, talagang seryoso na po siya. Talagang dinidikdik niya po kami sa traning na kung araw-arawin natin, eventually, we’ll get there.”
Replacing Kenyan coach Godfrey Okumu after the conclusion of UP’s Season 84 campaign, Delos Santos is now in Diliman looking to bring the same magic he brought when he led the UST Golden Tigresses to the 2009–10 UAAP crown. Looking forward to realizing that same dream are the Lady Maroons, led by their new coach and their 22-year-old team leader. Check out her message to the UP community.
“Panahon na po namin ngayon, kaya abangan niyo po kami at ipakikita po namin kung ano ang UPWVT.”
Season 85 of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament will start on February 25.