Arellano University may have been dethroned as NCAA men’s volleyball champions, but for head coach Bryan Vitug, the Chiefs still have reason to be grateful after reaching the semifinals.
The Chiefs fell to Mapua University, with the Cardinals taking Games 1 and 3 of their best-of-three semifinal series.
This came despite Arellano finishing on top of Group B in the preliminary round with a 9-4 record and defeating San Sebastian College in the quarterfinals.
“May pangihihinayang pero blessed pa rin naman kasi despite maraming nawala sa amin, nilaban pa rin ang mga natira,” Vitug said.
“So sa akin, okay naman na ‘yun, blessed pa rin naman kami.”
Vitug added that maturity played a key role in their matchup against the Cardinals who fielded veterans like Barbie San Andres, Arjay Ramos, and Alvin Macadangdang.
“‘Yung maturity ng players, medyo nagkulang kami kasi ‘yung mga iba is di pa [sobrang] salang dun sa laro pero thankful naman ako kahit papaano nakikita ko, kahit gradually, nakakakuha na sila ng confidence,” he said.
“Pero syempre, iba rin naman ‘yung laro pag talagang matured na dyan. At okay lang naman kasi deserve naman talaga ng Mapua ‘yan.”
For now, the Chiefs are awaiting the decisions of veterans Jiwen Sinuto and AC Guinto regarding their future with the squad as Arellano prepares for the next season.
—GMA News
