For Mapua University men’s volleyball head coach Aying Esteban, the Cardinals have nothing to be ashamed of after finishing as runners-up to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
After all, Esteban said they did not fall short, rather, the title simply went in favor of the Blazing Spikers.
“Actually, hindi naman kami kinapos. Binigay din naman ng mga bata talaga, nag-all out din naman talaga sila,” Esteban told GMA News Online after their Game 3 loss last Friday.
(Actually, we didn't fall short. Our players gave everything, they went all out.)
“Pero, siyempre, nakarating kami dito. Hindi naman basta-basta ‘yung pinagdaanan namin. So hanggang sa makaakyat kami ng finals, sabi ko nga sa mga players ko na be proud of yourselves sa achievement na ginawa n’yo rito.
“Hindi naman tayo nag-overachieve, pero ‘yung achievement na binigay ninyo sa Mapua, malaking factor na ito.”
(But of course, we reached this level. What we were through was no joke. Until we reached the finals, I told my players to be proud of yourselves for your achievement... We didn't overachieve, but the achievement you gave Mapua, this is a big factor.)
It was a tough road for Mapua this season.
They finished third in Group A behind powerhouse teams University of Perpetual Help and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, posting a 7-6 record.
Mapua then had to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage against San Beda University in the quarterfinals before pushing defending champions Arellano University to a three-game series in the semifinals.
In the end, the Cardinals ran out of steam as Benilde secured the title.
“Sa amin lang po, kinapos man po kami ngayong season, still grateful po kami,” said Arjay Ramos.
“Kasi, parang una sa lahat, hindi po namin ine-expect na makarating kami sa finals. ‘Yung standing po namin noong elimination, grabe talaga ‘yung struggle na inakyat namin para makarating sa finals. Sobrang hirap, pero thankful at the same time.”
(For us, even if we fell short this season, we're still grateful... First of all, we didn't expect to make the finals. Our standing in the elimination, it was a big struggle to climb up to reach the finals. It was so hard, but thankful at the same time.)
With veterans such as Barbie San Andres, Juancho Barba, Joseph Evan Yap, Joshua Caballero, and Alvin Macadangdang set to depart, Esteban believes the finals stint will motivate the remaining players, including Ramos, moving forward.
“Nakita naman nila kung paano pamunuan ni Arjay ‘yung team. Sana magampanan din nila kung ano ‘yung iiwan nina Ben [San Andres],” Esteban said.
(They saw how Arjay leads the team. I hope they can fill the role that Ben will leave behind.)
—JMB, GMA News
