Mapua University head coach Aying Esteban was unfazed when their star spiker Roxie Dela Cruz jumped ship to neighbor Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Dela Cruz, the 2nd Best Outside Spiker of NCAA Season 99, moved to LPU last year and is currently under residency.
While the Lady Cardinals had a tough 0-2 start to their campaign, they have been on a surge recently with three straight wins.
"Hindi naman malaking factor si Roxie sa amin, kita n'yo naman nagpe-perform naman ‘yung mga bata," Esteban told GMA News Online on Saturday. "So hindi siya magiging factor kasi may mga naka-ready na players na pwedeng pumalit. Ang sa amin, kung sino ‘yung nandito sa amin ‘yun ang gagamitin namin."
"Sabi ko naman sa kanya, kung saan ka kumportable, kung saan ka masaya, sige lang at wala namang problema. Doon kami kung saan siya masaya at kung saan siya gagaling."
True enough, there are a number of heroes to thank for Mapua.
Sophomore Raissa Ricablanca is the rising star for the wards of Esteban with the 22-year-old spiker leading the school in scoring with 72 points as of March 15, emerging as the third-best scorer in the league.
Veteran middle blocker Nicole Ong has also proven her worth, collecting 62 points so far followed by Freighanne Garcia as both players led the charge in their latest victory against Arellano University, 14-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-22.
Aside from the troika, Mapua is also getting quality minutes from the likes of team captain Therese Manalo, Clarence Marcos, and Nadine Berces.
Now armed with new heroes, the Lady Cardinals have beaten Lyceum of the Philippines University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Arellano University to improve to 3-2.
Esteban said the surge was all thanks to the fact that they put more premium on improving themselves rather than looking at what their opponents did.
"Wala naman kaming binago, inimprove lang namin ‘yung sistema na gingawa namin kasi doon kami nawawala minsan eh,"Esteban added.
"Hindi na kami nagre-review ng kalaban, ‘yung sarili na lang namin kasi mas marami ‘yung errors namin na nagagawa."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
