After a start to their campaign, Mapua University cruised to their second win a row after sweeping Jose Rizal University on Sunday in the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball tournament.
The latest win came just days after the Lady Cardinals pulled off a thrilling five-set win over the Roger Goryabe-mentored San Sebastian College-Recoletos. The twin victories redeemed Mapua after opening their season with a straight-sets loss to defending champion Arellano University.
And for head coach Clarence Esteban, more than the talent, it's his wards' eagerness to win that paved the way for their impressive run so far.
"Nakikita ko sa mga bata 'yung eagerness na manalo. Every game na ginagawa namin is talagang pinaghahandaan namin, kung ano 'yung strategies, kung ano 'yung possible naming gawin para matalo 'yung kalaban namin," shared Esteban.
"Lahat naman 'yon lumalabas sa ame, 'yun yung maganda sa mga players ko."
Rookie Nicole Ong, who was a key cog in their rout of JRU, echoed Esteban, saying: "Since isang beses lang makakalaban 'yung mga kalaban namin, talagang tinatatak namin sa isip namin na mag-all out kami kahit na anong mangyari."
But Esteban noted they just treated the game just a normal game, even if the Lady Bombers were trying to protect their unbeaten run prior to the match.
"Syempre undefeated 'yung kalaban namin [pero] no pressure naman kami sa labanan dito kasi galing naman talaga kami sa wala," said Esteban.
"Pero sabi nga namin, we need to prove something."
—JMB, GMA News
