UST reserves Xyza Gula and Mae Coronado were the heroes for the Golden Tigresses on Sunday, helping the team secure a comeback victory against the FEU Lady Tamaraws and maintain its perfect record.
The Golden Tigresses struggled in the first two sets with their usual personnel, but a strategic move by head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes to bring in Gula and Coronado as substitutes in the third set changed the game.
“Lahat ng mga tao namin sa lineup, naka-ready ‘yan,” Reyes said postgame. “Kailangan lang nila ng right time, and ayan, nag-contribute sila big time.”
Gula and Coronado chipped in three points apiece in the third set to keep the Tigresses alive.
In the fourth set, consecutive points by Coronado widened UST’s lead to five at 23-18, and the Tigresses held on to the advantage to win the set 25-20, forcing a decider. Gula contributed six of her 13 points in the fourth set.
Gula dazzled in the final set, securing the win for UST with two consecutive crosscourt kills.
The sophomore outside hitter, who was mainly used as a libero last season, said she was happy to provide offensive fuel for the Golden Tigresses.
“One-point warrior dapat kami kapag pinapasok kami sa loob,” Gula told the Varsitarian. “Kung off ‘yong isa sa sa first six namin, we got each other’s back na kami babawi para sa kanila and titiyagain lang talaga namin.”
“Nakaka-excite lang since inenjoy lang talaga namin ‘yong laro namin para mabalik ang aggressiveness ng team. Iyon ang kailangan namin, hindi puro seryoso lang—kailangan mag-enjoy talaga ang team para less pressure sa loob.”
Coronado, who did not see a minute of playing time in UST’s first three games, chalked up eight markers in the game.
“Sabi namin kay Mae, hintayin lang ‘yong tamang panahon at tamang oras at darating din naman ito,” Reyes said. “Maganda ang naging resulta so we’re very happy para sa kaniya kasi nagbunga ‘yong pinaghihirapan ng bata.”
And Coronado was thankful to have been allowed to showcase her skills in the UAAP stage.
“Sobrang saya ko dahil nakatulong ako at nailabas ko ‘yong pinaghihirapan ko sa training,” she told the Varsitarian.
The Tigresses, who were on the brink of their first defeat before the key reserves sparked a comeback, surged to a 4-0 record for the first time since the Season 73 women’s volleyball tournament in 2011.
They will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. with reports from Emmanuel John B. Abris
