Coming off a disappointing 5-set loss to NU last Sunday, it did not take long for the Lady Spikers to get back on track.
The defending champs made quick work out of the winless UE in straight sets 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 to put themselves within striking distance for the top spot in the standings at 4-1. Majoy Baron and Des Cheng both topscored with 13 points apiece.
Despite the straight set victory, there are still issues in the team’s play that need to be addressed especially when it comes to having that mental toughness to finish strong. When leading big, they still tend to relax and often commit errors that allow the Lady Warriors to catch up.
“UE has won sets with different strong teams recently kaya hindi namin sila inunderestimate. UE yan, pwede pa rin kami matalo dyan. We treat every team equally,” Kiana Dy asserted, after UE managed to keep up with them in the match.
“Nung dumidikit sila tumatahimik kami and dumarating na unforced errors, [kaya sabi namin] tapusin na natin ‘wag na mag-error,” she added.
Kim Dy bares the reason for the DLSU Lady Spikers' recent struggles and how they're striving to improve. #UAAPSeason80Volleyball » https://t.co/ptxi64VHJr pic.twitter.com/UgYvHXs8ef
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) February 22, 2018
Coach Ramil De Jesus still remains unsatisfied with the Lady Spikers’ performance citing the team’s lack of aggressiveness and communication inside the court.
“Well, ‘yung result importante ‘yun eh. Pero ‘yung performance, hindi ako satisfied sa performance today,” said de Jesus when he started the post-game interview that lasted for almost five minutes.
“Hindi mo makita ‘yung aggressiveness inside the court and ‘yung communication inside the court, so ‘yung polish hindi mo makita. So ‘yun ‘yung medyo disappointed ako,” he added.
Right after the game, de Jesus went straight to the dugout to talk to his wards instead of going inside the media room for a press conference, which is the protocol.
“(Sabi ko sa players) ‘yun nga, let’s say alam mo nang patapos na, magtatapon pa ng serve. Let’s say na parang very complacent dahil lamang ng malayo, hindi dapat mangyari ‘yun,” said de Jesus.
“And then ‘yung character inside the court, na alam mo naman na kaya mo ‘yung kalaban mo, ‘wag mo nang bigyan ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng kumpyansa. So ‘yun ‘yung ni-remind ko sa kanila,” he added.
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The Lady Spikers will have just two days to iron out all the wrinkles in their game as they take on a much tougher opponent in Adamson this Saturday.