In the UST Golden Tigresses’ four-set defeat to the NU Lady Bulldogs in their UAAP Season 88 opener on Sunday, one thing stood out: head coach Shaq Delos Santos did not hesitate to tap his bench.
After fourth-year standouts Cassie Carballo and Reg Jurado struggled early, Delos Santos made the call, fielding rookie Julia Balingit and setter Arlene Waje into the starting lineup for the third and fourth sets.
Though the Tigresses ultimately fell in four sets, they displayed greater grit in those stretches compared with the opening two frames.
“Iyong [naging] diskarte kasi namin, hindi lang kami nag-base doon sa game kanina, kung hindi pati na rin preparation pa mismo,” Delos Santos told the Varsitarian.
“Medyo shaky [rin] pa [kasi] ‘yong nagiging performance nila Cassie before and Reg, and alam naman nila ‘yon,” he added.
The move sparked a third-set rally, with Balingit unloading 10 points and Waje tallying 12 excellent sets — a bright spot despite the loss.
“Nung nag-rotate kami ng tao, mas naging okay din ‘yong performance,” Delos Santos said.
“Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila, once na ginamit kayo, ‘yong quality na magiging performance. Kahit hindi kayo ‘yong matagal sa court, ‘yong opportunity na nandyan kayo, ‘yon ‘yong kailangan ko.”
UST also leaned on backup libero Pau Escober after captain Detdet Pepito exited the third set due to cramps, as she chipped in four digs and seven receptions.
Delos Santos attributed the lift from the bench to steady work in practice, citing Waje and Balingit’s preparedness.
“Doon sa training pa lang, ‘yon na talaga ‘yon eh, performing talaga [sila] even sa training,” he said.
The opener underscored the Tigresses’ improving depth entering the season. Beyond the reserves, Delos Santos likewise started juniors standout Avril Bron alongside middle blocker Marga Altea.
“‘Yon ‘yong isang good thing na meron kami — ‘yong sa rotation, even rookies kapag ginamit mo, alam naming [kayang] mag-perform,” Delos Santos said.
The Golden Tigresses will next face the DLSU Lady Spikers on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the same venue.
