Cherry Ann Rondina has consistently carried UST despite injuries bugging the Tigresses’ Season 80 campaign, and Adamson coach Air Padda’s comments only added fuel to the fire.
In a post-game interview last Feb. 14, Padda commended Rondina for her strong play this season but noted that “one player can’t win games.”
“She’s a fireball, I love her energy. But you know what, one player can’t win games, you can’t do it by yourself,” Padda said.
Earlier, Rondina led the Tigresses with 22 points from 17 attacks, four aces and a block in defeating Adamson, 25-9, 31-29, 25-19. She shared how Padda’s comments ignited her and the team to work harder.
“Pinanood namin [‘yung interview]. Tapos sinabi ko sa kanila (team), ‘papayag ba kayo diyan’,” the fourth-year player said. “Huwag natin payagan na ganun ang sinasabi ng iba sa UST.”
Rondina, who has averaged 23 points in four games so far this season, rose as the squad’s main hitter since EJ Laure was ruled out of the season due to a shoulder injury.
But Rondina found help in co-spikers Dimdim Pacres and Carla Sandoval to put the team back to the winning column.
Pacres and Sandoval had 13 and nine points, respectively, against Adamson.
“Ang hinahanap ko kay Dimdim is yung at least mag-double digits… Si Carla Sandoval, tumulong din kaya malaking bagay,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.
The team played without libero Rica Rivera and spiker Milena Alessandrini for the first time this season due to knee and shoulder injuries, respectively.
UST will go head-to-head with the National University Lady Bulldogs bannered by Jaja Santiago on Feb. 25, 4 p.m., at the Arena in San Juan. I.R. L. Suing
