Can't be looking too far ahead.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles didn’t just lose their opening-day match to the National University Bulldogs in straight sets, 25-15, 25-20, 25-16. They also looked overmatched at times—as if they weren’t on the same level as NU.
Maybe they aren’t, at least not yet—not if they keep looking too far ahead, according to their coach, Oliver Almadro.
“I’m not so happy,” was Almadro’s blunt assessment of Ateneo’s performance.
“We’re too far away thinking right away into this tournament kaya medyo stiff ang kilos namin and, of course, you’re going against a champion team, intact lineup, so may konting pressure, konting pagi-stiff ng galaw,” he added.
Almadro is hoping his Blue Eagles can focus on the work that needs to be done to get better rather than worry about the wins and losses.
“We have to be at the moment first. Don’t look at the endpoint right away. Don’t look too far right away,” Almadro pointed out. “Just think of the process first—one set at a time… But we’re working on it, to focus on the process. Focus muna sa dapat namin gawin per game and per set. Wag masyadong overthinking of the result right away.”
While disappointed, Coach O is still sticking to the positives, like seeing his rookies show their potential—even though they were unable to provide star spiker Faith Nisperos enough support.
“Faith really played well, but medyo kulang ng support from her normal supporting cast, so we really have to work on it,” admitted Almadro.
Yet Almadro believes he has enough to work with.
“The good side here is nakita ko na si Lomocso [Beautiliza] can play at that kind of crowd, first time niya as a rookie. Si Geezel May Tsunashima, first time na makapasok ng MOA [Mall of Asia Arena], so it’s a good thing na nasubukan na sila this early.”
It was a trial by fire, that game against NU. But it could also jumpstart the process that will mold these Blue Eagles into a contender.