Expect a grueling battle every game from here on out.
After suffering a five-set loss to the La Salle Lady Spikers to open up their UAAP Season 85 campaign, UST Golden Tigresses coach Kung Fu Reyes seems to have gotten a pretty good idea of what to do next in training and what to expect in the coming games. Reflecting over his squad’s heartbreaking defeat, Reyes simply attributed the setback to the proverbial breaks of the game.
The veteran tactician, however, was quick to point out what the Golden Tigresses have to work on in order to get better.
“‘Yung trend na galing kami sa talo… ang ganda ng recovery, pagdating ng panalo ng set na ‘yon, biglang bulusok na naman kami pababa… I think it's not more on the skill. It’s on mental aspect na ‘yung kailangan namin tamaan sa susunod na mga ensayo namin,” Reyes said.
UST will get an opportunity to bounce back when they take on the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday. Coach Tina Salak and her wards are already 1-0 after subduing the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday. We’ll see by then if the mental toughness of the Tigresses have already been sharpened.
Coach Kung Fu has no pretense whatsoever that the matches ahead including the one against FEU will get easier. But Reyes isn’t backing down from the challenge either. In fact, he’s looking forward to slugging it out with the best of them.
“FEU, galing sa panalo. So, kailangan din naming sabayan si FEU. Lahat ng team sabay-sabay na kaming nag-eensayo. Lahat gumagalaw na. So, expect na ‘yung dogfight sa lahat ng laro… Every game kailangan mag-prepare. Scouting, lahat uupuan naming mabuti,” the volleyball mentor from España explained.
For their Wednesday showdown, the Lady Tamaraws will look to continue their bid for a turnaround season, while Coach Kung Fu and the Tigresses will aim to get their first W and kickstart another serious run at the title.