Heading into the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball tournament, Colegio de San Juan de Letran did not expect much.
After all, the Lady Knights are undergoing a rebuilding process with head coach Oliver Almadro taking over the reins as he inherited a relatively inexperienced and young core.
However, Letran managed to exceed expectations, reaching the finals stage for the first time in 12 years and get a shot at ending the school's 25-year title drought as they arranged a finals duel with two-time defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
And the Lady Knights are just embracing all the pressure that comes with it.
"As I’ve said coming into this season, it’s a healthy pressure for us," Almadro said after overcoming Lyceum of the Philippines University in the semifinals.
"We didn’t expect it, but I’m happy with this bunch of kids. I say kids because they really want to learn and ayon talaga ang number one. Wala silang reklamo."
(We didn't expect it, but I'm happy with this bunch of kids. I say kids because they really want to learn and that's number one. They don't complain.)
But before they entered the championship stage, the Lady Knights had to work their way up.
They dominated the first two sets against the Lady Pirates, who were eyeing to return to the finals after a runner-up finish in the previous season. However, the Lady Knights lost steam in the next two frames as LPU leveled the series to two sets apiece.
In the fifth set, the Lady Knights also found their backs against the wall after going down to an 11-8 hole. Thanks to the heroics of Judiel Nitura and Gia Maquilang, Letran was still able to seize the victory.
"Going to the match, I only said that it will not be easy but put Lord as your shield. Down kami by three, sabi ko na always remember that we have our shield and naniwala sila," Almadro shared.
(We were down by three but I said to always remember that we have our shield and they believed.)
Their surprise finals trip, according to Almadro, is also rooted to the common vision shared within the squad.
"Along the way, we have challenges also but ang nakita ko ay they are asking for more. ‘Pag wala kaming training, [magtatanong] sila kung pwede ba sila maki-train sa UP. Kapag isa lang ang training nila, [magtatanong] sila if pwede ba magdagdag ng training sa hapon. So nakikita ko na interesado sila," Almadro added.
"They're really wanting for more so sabi ko system at culture lang ang kailangang baguhin. They are all open to that."
(Along the way, we have challenges also but what I can see is they are asking for more. If we do not have training, they'll ask if they can train with UP. If they only have one training scheduled, they'll ask if we can still have one in the afternoon. I can see their interest. They're really wanting for more so I said I can only change the system and the culture. They are all open to that.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
