De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde may have completed another perfect NCAA run in Season 98, but head coach Jerry Yee believes they had had a much tougher road this time around.
For one, Benilde lost Season 97 MVP Mycah Go to injury just weeks before the new season unfurled. And with the huge void left by Go, the Lady Blazers definitely had a hard time getting some of their wins as they reached five-setters in games against Lyceum and Mapua in the elimination round.
Still, Yee, who is celebrating his 49th birthday today, said he's happy to see the Taft crew persevere amidst the challenges.
"Honestly mas mahirap this year because kita naman na nadidikitan tayo [ng kalaban], ‘di ba, ilan ‘yung five-setters natin," Yee said following their 25-19, 25-11, 25-20 Game 2 win against the Lady Pirates on Friday.
"We had to make adjustments with the players. Of course masaya na in the end, nakuha namin."
("Honestly, it was more difficult this year because as you could see, opponents were able to stay close to us, we had a few five-setters... We had to make adjustments with the players. Of course, I'm happy we got it in the end.")
And while all eyes were on Best Outside Spiker Jade Gentapa, who was also named Finals MVP after churning out 13 points and 11 digs in Game 2, and Best Opposite Spiker Gayle Pascual, Yee commended the other players who stepped up for the team this season.
"Everybody’s eager to contribute e, so syempre championships so lahat sila gustong manalo," the tactician said.
"Kung ano ‘yuung pwedeng ma-contribute, i-execute lang ‘yung role then everything will come through for us."
("Everybody's eager to contribute, and with the championship, of course everyone wanted to win... If they give whatever they could contribute, and they just execute their role, and everything will come through for us.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
