INTENSITY wins games for a young team but inexperience can cost it the championship. This is exactly what the Tiger Spikers faced in UAAP Season 67.
After exciting runs in the eliminations, UST fumbled in what proved to be their last and most crucial game of the season.
In their do-or-die semi-finals battle with the University of the Philippines (UP), the Tiger Spikers waxed hot early in the first set. But the Maroons, bannered by skipper Jerrico Hubalde, fought back with confusing combination plays and crisp smashes from the wing en route to claiming the succeeding sets. With catcalls from the frenzied UP homecrowd not helping the Tigers’ cause, the España netters succumbed to the stingy defense of UP in the dying minutes of the fourth set.
Toting a 9-5 win-loss card, the Tigers exited from the UAAP in not-so-disappointing fourth place.
What went right
Although it was a surprise for many that the rookie-laden squad entered the semis, they were no dark horse.
The Tiger Spikers showed immense improvement this season, especially in their blocking.
In an earlier interview with the Varsitarian, head coach Emiliano Lontoc expressed worry on their waterloo. But through their new training program, the Tigers learned how to use their height advantage in order to block shots more precisely.
Lontoc also scouted for competent rookies to relieve his starters and he still had a few reliable veterans left in the fold.
Rookie Charles Reyes, Best Libero award winner of the 2002 Palarong Pambansa, even started for Lontoc and performed like a veteran. Robertly Boto and Reny John Balse were good offensive options for UST.
Comebacking ace setter Christian Fernandez played an all-around game, proving why he deserved to be back on the team. Nimrod Ruelos, who was plagued with a hand injury for some time, delivered very well in his last year as a Tiger Spiker.
What went wrong
While the players are evidently talented, the problem is they still have to gel as a team.
The chemistry that veteran teams have can only be attained through time, and the young Tiger Spikers have a long way to go in this.
The UST smashers also struggled in its inability to cope with the pressures at crunch time. In several matches, UST secured the lead early in the set, but allowed opponents to catch up in the endgame.
All in all, Lontoc feels that his wards could have done better this season. “I’m expecting more from them kasi sa training, maganda naman ang performance nila.”
What lies ahead
The departure of key players Ruelos and Fernandez from the Spikers’ lineup may threaten the Tigers’ chances next year, so the rookies and the sophomores have to step up.
Without a defensive gem like Ruelos, who has played out his UAAP eligibility years, UST needs to find a replacement to seal the middle if it wants to keep in step with the taller and bigger squads next season.
Senior player Jake Lagar is expected to lead next year. Glenn Artajos, who relieves Fernandez of the setting chores, is expected to improve his playmaking during the off-season.
Hopefully next year, the Tiger Spikers will have shaken off their rookie jitters and will have buckled down to business.
Lontoc needs to develop his players’ aggressiveness without making them deviate from the game plan.
Also, UST needs to reduce the unforced errors that cost them potential victories.
Nevertheless, the Tiger Spikers’ victory in the University Games last Oct. 22-29 is a potent sign that the young spikers are slowly becoming a formidable squad.
