There is nowhere to go but up.
The University of the Philippines Men’s Volleyball Team (UP MVT) wrapped up the first round of UAAP Season 87 Volleyball the same way they started it–with a win.
This much-needed triumph against Adamson University (AdU) on Sunday, March 16, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum marks their second win of the season, and their victory is even sweeter after arresting their five-game slide.
“Pinaka-positive takeaway [ay] kahit nasa baba ka, pwede kang tumaas,” said head coach Carlo Cabatingan in the post-game press conference.
While having a record of 2-5 at the sixth seed of the standings, the Fighting Maroons are using their first-round losses as learning experiences and lessons to better prepare for the second round.
“Adjustments were taken every game until we finally arrived at the right timing [and] right tempo for the team to play this well,” said Cabatingan. “It took almost a month before we [got] back to winning. That month was really us learning [about] everyone.”
The players also emphasized improving their skills and the execution of their offensive plays as the season and the teams are approaching their peak potential.
“We prepare ten times more every game now, knowing that as long as we stick to the system, we believe in the system, [and] we stick to the process for preparation for every game, I think this would really help us a lot and get more games this coming second round,” shared team captain Gian Samaniego in a post-game interview with Tinig ng Plaridel.
Despite multiple setbacks, various Fighting Maroons have stepped up in crucial moments to put the team back on their feet.
Outside Hitter Olayemi Raheem ended Round 1 as the third-highest scorer in the league with 111 points, after putting up 22 points in their outing against the Soaring Falcons.
Despite entering the collegiate stage for the first time, newcomers Tommy Castrodes and Louise Angelo Aballe have also shown their mettle just in the nick of time with former Baby Falcon Castrodes soaring with 17 points, 14 digs, and 23 excellent receptions in their match against his former team.
Aballe delivered 26 excellent sets, one attack, and five excellent digs. The playmaker has also landed as the league’s eighth-best setter with a set average of 2.33 excellent sets.
Meanwhile, veteran Gelay Lagando has been one of the reliable spikers of the team with an average of 7.29 points per game with a 10-point contribution in the match against the Falcons.
A cornerstone of the team’s attacks, senior Daniel Nicolas has dropped an average of 7.57 points across seven games. Their battle against the Ateneo Blue Eagles marked his best production in the season so far where he chipped in 11 points from five attacks, five blocks, and an ace.
“Siguro uumpisahan namin sa pag-prepare sa skills namin kasi […] lumalabas ‘yung mga weaknesses namin sa skills, and ‘yung team effort and ‘yung confidence ng bawat isa, kasi hindi pwede ‘yung isa or dalawa ‘yung nag-lilead kung gusto namin manalo,” said the middle blocker in a post-game interview after their loss to Ateneo.
As the second round approaches, the team looks to maximize their 14-man squad to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
The Maroon squad will be facing their Katipunan rivals in the opening of the second round on Saturday, March 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
