Climbing back: Lady Spikers resurges back into form

Finally, the team is gelling into form.

In what seemed to be a disastrous season after a five-set defeat against the University of Sto. Tomas Lady Tigresses in the season opener, the DLSU Lady Spikers finally found the team’s winning formula and turned the tides, winning three straight games.

Lady Spikers Head Ramil De Jesus explained, “Siguro natuto sila sa mga mistakes nila, [dahil] sobrang complacent [sila] tapos hindi [pa] nagprepare ng maayos, [at] ‘yung focus at sobrang tiwala sa sarili dapat maresolve nila.”

Quick runaround

The team quickly flipped the switch after the loss against UST, which resulted into three dominating victories against the Adamson Lady Falcons, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, and the University of the East Lady Warriors. The duo of Abi Maraño and Mika Reyes featured a combined output of 25 points and 10 blocks in the team’s, 26-24, 25-19 and 25-18, sweep of the San Marcelino-based squad last December 8.

The Spikers continued as the team pounded FEU, 25-19, 25-16, and 25-16, last December 8. Season 74 Rookie of the Year Ara Galang led the Green-and-White with 15 points. The Green-and-White ladies then showed a balanced effort against UE, via another 25-15, 25-14, 25-13, sweep to climb up the standings to hold second place with a 3-1 record.

Coach De Jesus added, “Kailangan namin kumuha ng confidence sa mga games namin at kailangan mas mataas ang laro namin lalo.”

Turning the tables

La Salle managed to shake off the losing bug quickly, which resulted to easy wins thanks to the ladies’ sense of urgency.

Coach De Jesus also pointed out that the team is still adjusting to games without former Team Captain Cha Cruz who recently graduated. He also points out that the game helped the ladies determine their strengths and weaknesses. He explained, “Sinabi ko sa kanila na mas maganda na ‘yung maunahan tayo ng mali kasi nakita natin kung ano ‘yung mali at dapat makapag-adjust. So sa tingin ko, maganda rin na nangyari ‘yung talo sa simula ng tournament.”

In the team’s last three games, La Salle has showed its defensive intensity by holding down the opposition to an average of 19 points per set, which proves that the team relies on its defense to create many scoring opportunities.

Old and reliable

As the season progresses, Coach De Jesus hopes that his seniors, Marano and Gumabao, will guide the team with their leadership and push the other ladies to play at a high and efficient level.

He concluded,“Hindi naman habang panahon nandiyan si Cha [Cruz]. Kailangan lang matutunan ng papalit na seniors na sila yung maghahandle ng team. Matututunan din nila iyon eventually pero siguro unti-unti lang. Actually nag-eexpect ako doon sa mga seniors. Sabi ko sa kanila halos lahat naituro sainyo at kayo yung complete athlete so walang nang ituturo pa. Dapat kayo ang nag-eexcel at naghahandle ng team compared doon sa mga rookies na dapat maturuan pa lang. So sa akin itong na ‘yung finished product ko so dapat it’s about time na magharvest pa kami.”

Moving On

The Ladies will meet the National University Lady Bulldogs led by Dindin Santiago this coming Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena. La Salle hopes to gain momentum early to negate NU’s height advantage. Expect the Green-and-White ladies to assert their aggressiveness early in the game to avoid digging themselves out of a big hole.

Coach De Jesus ended, “Siguro ‘yung tiyaga lang kasi malalaki ang NU at kailangan natin magtiyaga kasi talagang kahit paano maabutan namin ‘yung mga blocks. Dapat talaga mademoralize natin ‘yung NU kasi kapag tumaas ang confidence nila sa sarili, ready silang talunin ka. Kung maunahan mo sila, hindi sila makakabalik at makakabangon agad.”