UST HEAD coach Odjie Mamon said the Golden Spikers have instilled within themselves a championship-or-bust mindset for UAAP Season 86, following their runner-up finish last year and an unbeaten run in the PNVF Championship League.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Mamon said he would adopt a stricter approach this season to steer his players toward success.
“The players set a goal for themselves na mag-champion this year,” Mamon said. “Ako kasi, conservative ako. Ang target lang namin is finals appearance, pero mas mahigpit ako ngayon. So tingnan natin kasi competitive dito e. Mas nag-improve sila, nagkaroon na ng experience so dapat stacked na tayo.”
Following their silver medal in Season 85, the Golden Spikers had a successful pre-season, securing gold in the PNVF and silver in the V-League. They also had a training camp in Japan, where they faced off against top Japanese teams.
Mamon noted that the Golden Spikers have been embracing the team’s system and are committed to perfecting it to quell their 13-year title drought.
“We had some adjustments implemented noong last V-League, then we had PNVF kung saan nag-champion kami so nag-stick na kami sa system na ‘yon,” he said. “Right now, before the UAAP, mastery is complete, perfection na lang.”
Aside from improving their floor defense, Mamon said the Golden Spikers need to unlearn habits that hampered them last season.
“‘Yong gigil nila and eagerness to score ang in-unlearn namin,” he said. “Ang gusto ko is to keep the ball in play. Huwag mong kunin sa isang suntok.”
The team is expecting rookies to step up this season, including middle blockers Trevor Valera and Patrick Lardizabal, new setter Gwen Colinares, and rookie libero Nat Prudenciado.
The UST Golden Spikers are set for a significant showdown in their Season 86 opener against last season’s finals opponents and defending champions, the NU Bulldogs, scheduled for Feb. 18, Sunday, at 12 noon at the Mall of Asia Arena.
