THE TIME is right for the UST girls high school volleyball team to win the UAAP title–or so they think.
The Junior Golden Tigresses twice fell short against a tough National University Lady Bullpups in the finals in 2014 and 2015.
But coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. believes they can pull it off this time, especially after bagging the Shakey’s Girls’ V-League title last July.
“Compared to last year, I can now see the maturity andaggressiveness of the team to bag the title, specially in the eyes of our key players,” Reyes said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
UST got a boost with the recruitment of outside hitter Baby Love Barbon and middle blocker Janna Torres.
“We are ready for any surprises NU could pull off this year because of our deep lineup and positive experiences from recent tournaments,” the tactician said.
NU’s towering triumvirate of Faith Nisperos, Sheena Turing and Thea Gagate remain threats to the Junior Tigresses.
But Reyes believes Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, Merry Rose Jauculan and Torres can compete with them when it comes to attacking and blocking.
They will also try to capitalize on their strong floor coverage with multi-titled libero Bernadett Pepito.
Reigning MVP Laure will still spearhead the squad together with Maji Mangulabnan who both showed an outstanding performance in the recently concluded 13thShakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference this September.
Laure said this year’s campaign will no longer be what other people thought of the squad as a “one-man-team show,’ as the Junior Tigresses have a lot to choose from on their offense.
“[The difference this year] is that we are confident and not complacent,” the five-foot-ten spiker told the Varsitarian.
Breeding ground
Reyes took pride in developing young talents under UST’s volleyball program.
“We are known for our volleyball program because we do not always recruit players with the whole package. We always take pride of breeding our own,” he said.
In the past, though, other teams lured homegrown UST talents.
Among them were UAAP three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez, Aeriel Patnongon and Therese and Pauline Gaston who all chose to play for the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.
Kim Fajardo, Audrey Ching and Gyra Barroga decided to be part of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers while Jaja and Dindin Santiago turned the National University Lady Bulldogs into perennial contenders.
“We always say that it is okay for them to leave but deep inside we bleed.” Reyes said.
