Depleted Tiger Spikers eye better record

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THE UST Tiger Spikers have set a modest and rather more realistic goal in this year’s UAAP tournament.

A “better record” from last season’s, said coach Odjie Mamon, who believes two-time defending champions Ateneo and NU will be the teams to beat.

It shouldn’t be a tall order for the Spikers, who have the most number of UAAP titles at 19 next to Far Eastern University’s 25.

But reaching the Final Four won’t be easy for UST, which finished seventh last season with a 4-10 win-loss record.

“It is easier said than done, but our primary goal for this season is to improve [in the standings],” Mamon said.

Mamon will miss the services of veterans Paul Castillo, Jason Sarabia, Patrick Balse and Mark Pangan, who all exhausted their playing years.

Promising recruit Jomaru Amagan left the team saying he was unhappy.”

Mainstays Anthony Arbasto Jr. and Kris Roy Guzman opted not to suit up for the team to focus on the beach volleyball team which won the UAAP title this season.

After finishing the previous season with a 4-10 win-loss record for seventh place, the Tiger Spikers aim to at least surpass last year’s dismal showing.

Left with a depleted roster, the Tiger Spikers will rely on sophomore Manuel Medina and team captain Arnold Bautista who said a better team chemistry this year compensates for the shortage of manpower.

“The camaraderie, the [good] treatment and the trust are all there among the team. We all trust each other in any way, so I can really say that the team has more chemistry compared to last year,” Bautista said.

Mamon said the team is more skilled and more cohesivecompared to last season but is relatively raw in terms of experience.

We’re still in the perfection stage, we have a lot of things to fix but I am confident with the team, especially with my starters,” Mamon told The Varsitarian. Even though the seniors were the core last year, they were not able to lead [the team].”

As for AmaganMamon disclosed that he did not know of the former NCAA juniors’ MVP’s intent to leave the team until The Varsitarian broke the news. The veteran mentor added there are several players who are capable of filling up the void with the load of young talent the team has.

“[With the departure of key members of the team], the players wanted to show they are worthy of the roster spots and it resulted in a stronger performance,” Mamon said.

The Tiger Spikers last won the championship back in 2011 when the team was under the tutelage of former long-time coach Emil Lontoc who steered UST to four straight championships.

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