SOMETIMES, the raw desire to win is enough to catapult a young and inexperienced team to an almost impossible victory. Most of the time, however, the sure-fire ammunitions—talent and experience—are key to bring a team to nothing less than a championship.
The Tiger Spikers learned this the hard way.
“Although we played tough, our inexperience caused our downfall,” head coach Emiliano Lontoc admitted.
The Tiger Spikers, easily the tournament’s surprise package, raised eyebrows in UAAP Season 67. They scored upsets against defending champions Far Eastern University and De La Salle University, proving that they could keep up with the veteran teams of the league.
But the University of the Philippines, which suffered its lone elimination round loss to the Tiger Spikers, put an end to UST’s dream run in their September Final Four knockout match, 25-22, 19-25, 18-25, 24-26.
The defeat left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Tiger Spikers, who nevertheless improved their Season 66 fifth-place finish by a notch.
Despite the anti-climactic ending last season, Lontoc has every reason to look forward to a more promising Season 68.
Roster
Lontoc believes that the team’s biggest advantage this season is its intact lineup.
With only one new recruit in setter Reycard Dimaculangan, UST’s 14-man roster is intact and packed with talented and experienced players.
After earlier announcing his departure due to personal reasons, hotshot setter Christian Fernandez decided to play out his final UAAP year. His ace playmaking skills will again amplify UST’s powerhouse offensive rotation.
Spikers Glenn Boongaling and Robertly Boto both have big shoes to fill as Nimrod Ruelos, UST’s top middle man, played out his UAAP eligibility.
Veteran open hitters Jake Lagar, Carlo Lubi, and Reny John Balse will provide UST with the show-stopping kills that wowed the crowd in Season 67. Along with Fernandez, Boongaling, and Boto, UST’s offensive triumvirate completes UST’s starting rotation.
Libero Charles Reyes, who showed potential last season, is expected to perform even better against top defensive specialists of other teams.
Coming off the bench are Adrian Cruz, Jerome Say, Jairus Quitco, Glenn Artajos, and Nazareno Roque.
Strong points
Like in previous seasons, Lontoc favors tall spikers, who could easily lord over their smaller opponents.
“We have the height advantage,” Lontoc said. “This would help us not only to intimidate our opponents, but also to execute sturdier defense.”
The Tiger Spikers, who practice almost everyday, have raised their defensive game with a lot of service-receive and blocking training.
“In the off-season, the boys also managed to reduce the errors in their game,” Lontoc said.
The Tiger Spikers proved this when they defeated their UAAP rivals to capture the Home and Away League crown last April.
“This time, I truly believe we are the team to beat,” Lontoc said. “Kung baga sa ulam, ‘completos recados’ na.”
If all goes right, the Tiger Spikers might just unleash their fierce Tiger domination at the net that has long been subdued.
