For UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes, the Golden Tigresses’ efforts to recover from unforced errors led to their victory over the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles during their last matchup in the first round on Thursday, May 19.
Reyes said Tigresses team captain Eya Laure strived to make up for “uncharacteristic” errors in the third set.
“Coming from consecutive errors, na siyempre uncharacteristic para sa kanya, pero lumalabas ulit ‘yong kung ano siya, kung ano ‘yung natural niya na ilalaban niya ‘yong mga puntos per puntos,” said Reyes.
UST was at match point, 26-26, when Laure’s down-the-line attack hit wide to give Ateneo the lead, 27-26. Laure also committed a service error, which Ateneo utilized to snatch the crucial set, 31-29.
The Tigresses committed 14 unforced errors in the third frame, including a mis-hit from rookie Ypril Tapia that led Ateneo to force a fourth set.
“‘Yun ang pinaka maganda dun e, ‘yung ma-experience especially ni Tapia ngayon na pagdating sa mga pitpitan na [laban] kailangan talagang ‘yong fighting spirit mo andun,” he said.
“‘Yun ang magandang learning na makukuha namin at dadalhin namin towards second round.”
Laure secured the 25-19, 25-21, 29-31, 33-31 victory for the Tigresses with a game-sealing off-the-block hit in the fourth frame.
“Sa dami ng error na binigay ko sa game na ‘to, nandiyan sila coach na di din talaga ako binitawan,” said Laure.
“Nandiyan si Coach Kung Fu para ipaalala sa akin na bumawi kaagad, kalimutan na ‘yun at magtiwala sa sarili.”
Laure emerged as the best scorer in the first round of UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball after tallying 160 points across seven matches (22.8 ppg).
The Golden Tigresses will go head-to-head against the Adamson Lady Falcons for their first matchup in the league’s second round, 10 a.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena. Anna Clarissa M. Barlam
