The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Friday launched a landmark development: a challenge system.
The country's oldest collegiate league introduced the system for the first time in league history during the knockout stepladder semifinals between San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Jose Rizal University, where the Lady Bombers ran away with a five-set win.
And San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb praised the league for the positive development.
"Maganda tsaka malaking pagbabago eh. Ito na 'yung trend sa volleyball eh," said Gorayeb.
"Time has changed, 'di tayo pwedeng mabuhay gaya nung 1980's pa. Kailangan mag-adapt na rin 'yung NCAA, kailangan na rin nila na magdagdag kasi maganda para sa liga eh."
Gorayeb, though, suggested for the league to implement the challenge system right from the start of the elimination round as it could benefit all 10 teams.
"Napakaganda niyan [pero] sana sa susunod, 'wag lang sa semis ginagawa. Doon pa lang sa eliminations," he said.
"Huwag lang maabuso kasi pwedeng iabuso 'yang challenge na 'yan na kahit malayo 'yung bola, kahit isang dipang malayo, icha-challenge pa rin."
Meanwhile, JRU mentor Mia Tioseco said the challenge system caught them by surprise as it was the first time in their stint in the league to be experiencing the program.
"Actually naguguluhan kami nung umpisa, so hindi ko na masyadong pinapansin kasi hindi ako sanay eh," she said. "So binigay ko na kay coach Larry (Sioco) kung magchachallenge ba or hindi."
—JMB, GMA News
