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De La Salle Lady Spikers. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers have stayed on course in the UAAP 88 women's volleyball tournament, holding on to a 9-0 slate with the second round underway.
Despite their perfect record, longtime champion mentor Ramil de Jesus said there's still a lot to improve on for the Lady Spikers in the race for spots in the playoffs.
In their 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14 win over University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday, the Lady Spikers faltered in the second set and played catch-up in the third, before getting the victory.
Though de Jesus lauded his players for their grit and resilience, he hopes they would stay consistent and improve their game further.
READ: UAAP: La Salle flexes might, moves past UST to stay perfect
"Siguro kasi buong first round nakita na nila 'yung galaw ng team, kung sino 'yung mataas 'yung production ano. So minsan medyo nawawalan ng kumpiyansa 'yung mga bata pagka let's say nako-control sila," he said during the post-game press conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
"Sabi ko, alam niyo naman kapag kayo 'yung mataas na production kayo 'yung pag-aaralan para mapigil. Sinasabi ko huwag mawawalan ng loob. Kung may pinakita ka sa first round, dapat dagdagan mo pa 'yung dapat mong gawin. Hindi pwedeng isang klase lang 'yung pwede mong gawin. So dapat mas mag-aral ka pa ng mas hindi pa nila nakikita," de Jesus explained.
The DLSU mentor likewise lauded his seniors like team captain Shevana Laput, Angel Canino, and Amie Provido, for guiding the team, especially when they were down in the second and third sets.
"Siguro 'yun ay dumadating sa panahon. Kasi itong mga players ko naman masasabi mo na seniors eh. So parang nahinog na ito sa panahon, sa dami ng laro, sa dami ng exposure sa international. Sila na rin 'yung nag-guguide," De Jesus said.
"Natututo na rin ito sa mga previous, dating pagkakamali, ito nanaman tayo sa ganitong situation nanaman tayo. Siguro naman dapat masanay ka sa ganitong klase ng pressure," he added.
Laput was one of the players who sparked their comeback against UST, after being limited to just 10 points against Adamson University last week.
"There’s always going to be ups and downs, but as an athlete, it’s how you bounce back, the perseverance," she said after finishing with 14 points, two blocks, and one service ace.
READ: UAAP: La Salle's Shane Reterta embracing bigger role with Lady Spikers
"It was very much a battle of endurance — who wanted it more, who could last the longest in terms of positive mindset, in terms of aggressiveness. As you can see from the result of the game, we were able to show who we really are. The true Lady Spiker spirit," she said.
With a long road still ahead before the playoffs, de Jesus hopes the team corrects its flaws and maintain 100% form so they can achieve their goal of winning the title.
"Siguro 'yung hinahanap ko lang ay maging healthy sila hanggang matapos yung eliminations. Kasi mahirap 'yun. Hindi natin kontrolado yung situation pagka-ganun," he said.
"And siguro 'yung mga lapses namin na pagka-lead kami ng mahaba, biglang inaabot. So may mga ganung problema 'yung team na dapat mai-correct namin during training. 'Yung panapos, medyo humihinto 'yung mga bata pagka-malaki 'yung lamang," de Jesus added.
DLSU will return to action on Sunday, when they take on the University of the Philippines at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.