After NCAA Season 97, Arellano University was left searching for answers after bowing to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in their title showdown that ended their four-peat bid.
That also served as the final game for some of their veterans like Princess Bello and middle blocker Carla Donato as their one-two punch graduated.
But head coach Obet Javier found the right answer just months after the last season as the Lady Chiefs got a prized recruit in Laika Tudlasan.
The 19-year-old rookie didn't disappoint in her NCAA debut, finishing with 23 points to steer Arellano to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-23 win over Jose Rizal University to kick off their Season 98 women's volleyball tournament campaign.
According to Javier, Tudlasan didn't just meet the expectations, she also exceeded those.
"Syempre masaya ako para sa bata kasi 'yung ineexpect ko sa kanya, kahit na sabihin nating rookie, nagawa niya," Javier said on Saturday.
"Hindi lang nagawa, talagang nasobrahan pa niya. Nagawan niya talaga ng paraan 'yung ineexpect ko sa kanya."
("Of course, I'm very happy for the kid because the she was able to meet the expectations of her even if she is still a rookie... She wasn't just able to meet them, she exceeded them. She found a way to meet what was expected of her.")
With Tudlasan's impressive debut, Javier is hoping to see other players step up as they look to reclaim the throne.
"Malaking bagay kasi habang pumupuntos 'yung mga rookies, 'yung mga seniors nagkakaron ng 'dapat samahan ko 'yung rookies na gumawa'," he added.
"Pero sabi ko naman sa team ko na ang importante is collective effort tayo. 'Wag tayong aasa lang sa isang tao."
("It's big, because as the rookies are scoring points, the seniors will also feel like they have to match the rookies' contributions... But as I told my team, the important thing is the collective effort. That we don't rely on only one player.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
