For the first time this season, Mapua University didn’t need to reach the fourth set just for them to book a win. On Wednesday, the Lady Cardinals swept San Beda University, nailing its first clean win after figuring in either five-setters or four-setters in all of their past games.
And Mapua head coach Aying Esteban stressed the latest win could help improve the ambience in the team after series of grueling matches.
“Motivation lang na i-claim naman natin 'tong straight sets para maiba naman 'yung ambience ng team namin,” Esteban said.
“So 'yun nga, kamuntik pang ma-disgrasya pero at least ginawa pa rin ng mga players ko kung ano 'yung dapat gawin.”
("It's motivation for us to claim this straight sets [win] so we can change the ambience of our team... We almost gave it away but at least the players were able to do what they had to.")
The win, according to Esteban, is a crucial one as the league approaches the final stretch of the elimination round with half of the teams eager to catch the Final Four bus.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde has already sealed its playoffs spot while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA currently in second spot with a 6-1 card.
Lyceum and Mapua are tied at third spot with identical 6-2 slates while Arellano is at fifth a 4-3 record.
“Sobrang laki kasi kailangan pumuntos e kasi pagdating sa win-loss standing, nan'don kami pero sa points kami natatalo, which is nangyari nung Season [97].”
("This is very big because we need the points. When it comes to the win-loss standing, we're right there but we're behind in the points, which is what happened in Season 97.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
