Determined to make up from a disappointing performance a week ago, Kim Dy came up big in last Saturday’s win against Ateneo. Playing in her final UAAP season, she tallied 21 points to go along with 7 blocks in the Lady Spikers’ 4-set conquest to end the first round with a 5-2 record.
Prior to this match, Dy found herself struggling to find her game this season. After registering just 8 points against Adamson, she vowed to finally break out of her slump. Determined to turn things around, she even texted coach Ramil De Jesus right after their loss to the Lady Falcons.
“After matalo sa Adamson, nag-message sa akin ‘yan. Sabi babawi daw siya then nag-sorry. Ito, pinakita naman niya,” said De Jesus.
Coach Ramil grades the Lady Spikers' bounce back effort, Kim Dy reveals a late-night text to her coach, promising to be better, and more in DLSU's post-game interview. #UAAPSeason80Volleyball pic.twitter.com/KzvoE7I0ut
— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) March 4, 2018
Regarding De Jesus’ comments last week that the defending champions played like a “barangay-level” team, Dy said it was indeed a wake-up call not only for her but for the rest of the players to step up. La Salle was only able to win just once in that tough 3-game stretch.
“Actually, sanay na kasi kami kay coach. ‘Yun nga, he never gives any puri. He looks at our mistakes,” said Dy.
“Siguro, eye-opening din sa amin ‘yun na deserve naman namin kung ano man ang sinabi niya.” “Kasi we really showed the hindi magandang laro. So whatever he says to us, accept namin na ‘yun nga ang nakita niya” she added. – Spin.ph
With her breakout performance, Dy was named Player of the Week.
On coach Ramil’s part, while he is happy with the win, he still sees more areas that the team must improve on.
Last game’s third set saw Lady Spikers climb back from a 10-point deficit but still was unable to close it out.
“Yung laro kasi, parang roller-coaster, andoon na tapos biglang bibitaw, pag malayo hahabol. May kulang, ‘yung pang-endgame ang kulang,”
Still, he gave credit to his wards’ efforts and instead took the blame for the late adjustment when he fielded Carmel Saga to replace his main setter Michelle Cobb late in the third set.
“Nakita ko ‘yung determination nilang makahabol,” “‘Yun nga lang medyo kinapos pa rin sa dulo kahit andoon nung last na.”
“Siguro, mistake ko ‘yun dahil andoon na ‘yung momentum, nagpalit ako ng setter, so hindi nakapag-deliver ‘yung setter, well ganoon talaga eh. Wala na sa two points eh,” he added. – Spin.ph
Dy is hopeful that the win against the Lady Eagles would help boost the team’s confidence as the gear up for a tougher round two.
“I think, coming from a loss kasi, kailangan talaga naming mag-bounce back. And we need to get that confidence again,” the 5-foot-11 spiker shared. “Coming into this game, siyempre iniisip namin kung sino ba kami. Laging sinasabi ni coach sa amin ‘yun, parang, sino kayo? Di ba kayo ang defending champions?”
“Parang, oo nga, tayo naman ang defending champions. Coming to this game, we just remembered who we are, and kung ano ang kailangan namin para maging confident kami,” – Tiebreaker Times
Upsets, a lot of 5-set matches, this season has been unpredictable to say the least. Anyone can beat anyone that’s for sure.
This has indeed been a very challenging season for Lady Spikers so far. With all teams playing better, nailing the twice-to-beat in the semis is no longer a cakewalk as it used to be. The team should show no let-up moving forward.