San Beda University head coach Edgar Barroga may have failed to get a win in his debut, but the rookie mentor stressed their four-set loss to Lyceum of the Philippines University is still a step closer towards their vision.
The veteran tactician was satisfied with what his wards displayed against the Season 98 runners-up LPU Lady Pirates, dragging them to a fourth set before ultimately succumbing, 17-25, 25-13, 15-25, 21-25, to kick off their NCAA Season 99 campaign.
"‘Yun nga ‘yung isang happy ako kasi runner-up ‘yan last year and kahit papaano naka-isang set kami," Barroga told GMA News Online.
[That's what I'm happy about because that's the runner-up last year and we were still able to take one set.]
What actually made Barroga even happier was the fact that they were able to do that despite playing with a retooled roster.
Just days before the season started, they hit a snag as incoming transferee Reyann Cañete suffered a season-ending finger injury she sustained in a tuneup game.
They also had to make a huge adjustment after their primary setter in Jessica Umali sustained an ACL injury in the offseason, prompting Barroga to convert Katleya Molina from a wing position to setter.
"To be honest happy na ako doon sa naging performance nila given na ‘yung setter namin converted lang. But I understand kasi biro mo wala pang seven months ‘yung conversion niya from a spiker," Barroga, who had previously called shots in the professional scene, added.
"At the same time si Cañete na inaasahan ko rin sana na-injure din. So happy na rin ako sa nangyari and mas magiging ready kami next time."
[To be honest, I'm happy with their performance given that our setter was just converted. But I understand because it hasn't been seven months since her conversion from a spiker... At the same time, I was relying on Cañete but she got injured. So I'm happy with what we showed and we'll be ready next time.]
Angel Habacon led the way with 15 points while Chynna Castillo chipped in 11 markers.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
