Obet Javier, the coach of three-time defending champion Arellano University, is expecting his wards to leave no room for complacency as they move forward in the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball tournament.
The decorated mentor underscored the Lady Chiefs' tendency to relax whenever they find themselves ahead of their opponents, derailing their momentum.
That was what happened when Arellano stumbled in the second set against Colegio de San Juan de Letran after a dominant outing in the first set. They, however, were able to recover, closing out for a 25-13, 21-25, 25-16, 25-20 victory to improve to 5-1.
But Javier stressed they will have to address this issue as they eye to retain the crown in Arellano.
"Kumbaga syempre masaya kami... pero kung titignan natin kanina, first set maganda 'yung ginawa ng team ko pero pagdating ng second set, pumalpak," Javier said.
"So nandon pa rin 'yung sakit nila na nagiging complacent eh. Nagrerelax 'pag nanalo na ng isang set."
Team captain Carla Donato, who led the team with a game-high 16 points, said they just rediscovered their play from the first set as they dominated once more in third and fourth frames.
"Sinunod lang namin 'yung mga sinabi ng coaches namin lalo na si coach Obet na stay focused lang sa laro, 'wag manggigil sa iba tapos ibalik lang namin 'yung laro namin nung first set," Donato said.
"'Pag pumunta dapat kami sa arena, ang goal namin is manalo. Hindi lang pumunta para maglaro."
—JMB, GMA News
