The UST Golden Tigresses have experienced an up-and-down campaign so far, but on Wednesday they returned to the win column after overcoming a sluggish start to defeat the UP Fighting Maroons, 16-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20.
The victory served as a strong response following a deflating straight-sets loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons, a defeat that raised questions about new head coach Shaq Delos Santos’ system as the Tigresses slipped to a 2-3 record through five games, their worst start in eight years.
Amid criticism as the Tigresses struggled to form a clear identity early in the season, UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez said the team remains fully committed to Delos Santos’ system and urged supporters to trust the process as well.
“Again, new system, new ideas,” Fernandez said after their win against UP. “But again, we must respect the decision of the management and the admins of our University.”
“Kailangan talagang unti-untiin; hindi siya madali. Kahit saan namang profession or event sa sports, hindi one-click lang ma-adopt ang sistema. Little by little.”
The win against UP also marked the Tigresses’ first victory against a team with a winning record this season. In their first two outings, they fell to the National University Lady Bulldogs and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, the finalists from last year.
Their earlier wins came against the winless UE Lady Warriors and Ateneo Blue Eagles before they stumbled again with a loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Season 88 marks Delos Santos’ return as head coach, taking over from Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes, who served as the Tigresses’ head coach for a decade and now acts as UST’s volleyball program director.
Fernandez also emphasized the importance of unity within the squad as they adjust to Delos Santos’ system throughout the season.
“Kailangan, doon sa mga uncomfortable areas and situations, mas doon nagiging as one yung team namin,” he said.
Following the Adamson defeat, Fernandez said the team regrouped, revisited their approach, and listened to each other’s concerns to address issues before facing UP.
And on Wednesday against UP, Reyes joined the Tigresses’ huddles, offering additional guidance for the team.
“So, isang example ‘yong nangyari sa amin sa Adamson. Kasi ‘yong sa Adamson talaga, maraming napag-usapan, maraming nag-kompromisuhan na ganito dapat, balance dapat, ganito dapat mangyari, ganito dapat yung magiging approach,” Fernandez said.
“But end of the day, siyempre, ‘yong suporta ng UST para kay coach Shaq, nandoon. Kahit kami. Kahit si coach Kung Fu, makikita niyo nandiyan sa sideline. So, talagang supportado kami kay coach Shaq.”
Fernandez said the Tigresses would continue to fight hard throughout Season 88 as they try to move forward from their 3-3 record.
“Basta kami, ilalaban namin ‘yong UAAP hanggang sa huli,” he said as the team is now in a three-way tie for fourth place.
“Malaki pa rin ‘yong chance. Ang sinasabi lang namin sa mga bata, huwag kayong tumigil. Huwag kayong mapagod. … Sa huli na kayo, mag-rest. Huwag sa gitna.”
The Tigresses will next face the third-seeded FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
