Mapua University head coach Clarence Esteban heaved a sigh of relief after his wards opened their campaign with a dominant 25-20, 25-23, 25-18 win over San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament.
Esteban felt the victory could set the tone for the Lady Cardinals, who had to figure in numerous five-setters last season that ultimately affected how they ended their run.
Last season, Mapua opened its Season 98 bid with a five-set escape against eventual finalist Lyceum of the Philippines University and even went into four more thrillers in the succeeding eight games. They then ended up bowing to the Lady Pirates in the stepladder semifinals.
"Psychological na lang, pinu-push ko lang sila nang pinu-push na hindi na mangyari ‘yung tulad last year na binansagan kaming queen of the fifth sets, gano’n," Esteban said.
"So sana kung kaya naming kunin ng three sets, kunin na namin ng three sets. Naging leksyon din sa kanila ‘yung nangyari sa amin last year na hindi kami nakaabot sa dulo kasi ‘yung physical namin bumaba dahil sa mga five sets namin. Sa dulo ubos na kami."
[It's just psychological, I'm just pushing them and pushing them so that what happened last year, where we were branded queen of the fifth sets, would not happen again... So if we can take it in three sets, we'll do that. It was a lesson to them last year also that we weren't able to reach the end, our physical fell short because of all of the five sets. In the end, we ran out of gas.]
The straight-sets triumph against the Lady Stags was made possible by the leadership shown by sophomore star Roxie Dela Cruz, who is now given the reins to lead the squad.
Dela Cruz, one of the promising rookies from last year, churned out 18 points built on 16 attacks and two aces while also grabbing seven receptions as the Lady Cardinals improved to 1-0.
Esteban shared his prized outside spiker has been embracing the role of a veteran despite only being a second year player.
"Siya nagga-guide kay Freigh Anne (Garcia) kung anong gagawin kasi silang dalawa ‘yung open spikers," Esteban added.
"Hindi lang sophomore ‘yung dating niya sa team kasi malaking part na siya dito sa season. ‘Yung guidance nila sa mga bago, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-grateful ako sa mga bata."
[She is the one guiding Freigh Anne because they are the two open spikers... Her impact is not just that of a sophomore because she's such a big part of the team this season. The guidance they provide to the new players, that's what I'm most grateful about.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
