As the season goes on, teams should look back at the goals they set. Are you going for the championship or are you in a rebuilding phase? What is your system? Are you going for player development? The best way to motivate players aside from lovelife and family is by money. You play good in college you get hired as professionals playing the game you love and getting paid handsomely for it. I have devised a new substitution pattern. Every set is 25 points unless it gets extended so i play my starters from 0-10 points. The idea is for the subs to contribute in the important parts of the game so they should add to the lead or rally the deficit from points 11-16. The finishing lineup plays the points 17-25.
1. Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons
The Lady Falcons has to bank on Gemma Galanza's heroics to edge FEU yesterday. They are now at an even 1-1 slate. Good things happened when Mylene Paat was moved as MB to OPP her natural position. In fact Paat comes off the bench at Cignal to replace Jovelyn Gonzaga and she sometimes upstage her. But being a starting OPP is something Paat must work on. Soyud as fans claim can play the MB so Dacoron should take her under her wing and she'll be fine as substitute player. Anyway in my opinion a team needs 10 competitive players in their rotation. Lea-Ann Perez is undersized at the MB position but she has the skills. Drop balls. What does an MB do to drop balls? Work on reflexes. Help the MBs too. Emnas has done a good setting job. Permentilla should work on accuracy. Who else will step up for the Lady Falcons?
2. Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles
Bea de Leon the MB is today's Player of the Game in their first win. Her game is alright but she gets blocked a lot. She needs to read the defense and vary her attack. Aside from spiking, make floaters/lobs and sliced shots. Their MB2 Maddie Madayag is also a decent blocker. As i have said MBs should improve their reflex motions on the hands and feet. Refer to my twitter for the reflex trainer. Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot has not received enough passes yesterday. Probably that was the game plan. If not i'm calling you out Deanna Wong. It is okay to get blocked. When a teammate gets blocked the best leaders would let themselves get blocked, brushes it off and play again. Kat Tolentino is a tall OH which makes her a target of spikes. Which eases the burden on the libero Dani Ravena. I suggest you do 10,000 egg rolls. You know to get rid of vertigo. Jules Samonte is fearless. Ponggay Gaston is a spark on and off the bench - a role that she must always personify. Who else will defend the floor for the Lady Eagles?
3. De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers
I do not see any team in the league stopping DLSU. At least in the first round of the eliminations. They have ice water in their veins developed from their championship titles. This season Kim Kianna Dy looks to lead DLSU to another championship ring while Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng, Aduke Ogunsanya and Tin Tiamzon provide the firepower. Dawn Macandili is her usual busybody self. Michelle Cobb should rise to the pressure of being the setter of the defending champions.
4. Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws
FEU looks good on paper but they need composure to gut it out with the better teams. Ha Bernadette Pons is magic. FEU's floor defense is holding up but they need to step up their blocking. Otherwise the floor defense can be overworked. They seem to have found the right combination. Chin Chin Basas, Negrito, Guinoo, Domingo and substitute players Cayuna.
5. National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs
Watch out for NU as their rotation becomes solid. I know its easy to look good against a lowly team like UE but games like this boosts your confidence. NU played not to lose against FEU and they lost. I would't say overconfident but they trying out new plays bringing in new players in the rotation. As it was Paran's absence in the first set has NU's defense wobbly. Drop shots after drop shots were dropped on them with Urdas and the bigs the primary targets. This said this was a welcome loss as NU will have time to address their weakness. Singh and Doromal need to step up to help Jaja Santiago, Jasmine Nabor, Sato, Paran, Urdas, Ponce and the rest.
6. University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses
UST playing without EJ Laure and the addition of OH Milena Alessandrini has them adjusting. They have short MBs Shannen Palec, Tin Francisco, Caitlyn Viray their best blocker. The disadvantage in that is their second, third, fourth jumps wouldn't be as high or as quick as their first jump. But if they summon their fighting spirit and timing that would even up the competition. Cherry Rondina is a scoring machine but she has to improve her defense - at the net and the floor defense. Carla Sandoval is a more defensive OPP but her offense needs to improve. Make floaters okay. Milena Alessandrini no doubt is a gem. Alina Bicar should take charge. Who knows one game can bring them back to their groove.
7. University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors
Shaya Adorador can hold his own as a starter for Generika. UE turns a new leaf with a new coach in Rod Roque. Outgoing Coach Francis Vicente would be invaluable as President of Volleyball Operations due to his savvy and knowledge. Me-ann Mendrez is the co-captain of this team. She should hit harder though. Their setter should set up the MBs as well so as to be unpredictable. I know Baliton is the captain playing as an MB now. But she is a trained setter. I'll play her as setter but she needs conditioning to get the lift for blocking and help in the floor defense too. Seth Rodriguez is their best MB while Mikaela Lopez should get the lift too. I'm glad Kat Arado has gotten her groove back. Judith Abil is a breath of fresh air. She needs variation in her attacks - spikes, floaters, you get the idea.
8. University of the Philippines (UP) lady Maroons
I'm impressed with UP on how they dig and receive during warmups so they just gotta get used to the pressure. Make heady plays on defense to pump the offense. Make heady plays on offense to pump the defense. Make it work. Tots Carlos needs to stop her jump serves to conserve her energy. The purpose of the serve is to score aces or to force easy overs. Her jump serve does not do that. Other than that Carlos is the most feared spiker this year. Speaking of serves Molde, Buitre and Layug has them scoring easy points. Their blocking needs improvement while they wait for Ramos.
1. Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons
The Lady Falcons has to bank on Gemma Galanza's heroics to edge FEU yesterday. They are now at an even 1-1 slate. Good things happened when Mylene Paat was moved as MB to OPP her natural position. In fact Paat comes off the bench at Cignal to replace Jovelyn Gonzaga and she sometimes upstage her. But being a starting OPP is something Paat must work on. Soyud as fans claim can play the MB so Dacoron should take her under her wing and she'll be fine as substitute player. Anyway in my opinion a team needs 10 competitive players in their rotation. Lea-Ann Perez is undersized at the MB position but she has the skills. Drop balls. What does an MB do to drop balls? Work on reflexes. Help the MBs too. Emnas has done a good setting job. Permentilla should work on accuracy. Who else will step up for the Lady Falcons?
2. Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles
Bea de Leon the MB is today's Player of the Game in their first win. Her game is alright but she gets blocked a lot. She needs to read the defense and vary her attack. Aside from spiking, make floaters/lobs and sliced shots. Their MB2 Maddie Madayag is also a decent blocker. As i have said MBs should improve their reflex motions on the hands and feet. Refer to my twitter for the reflex trainer. Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot has not received enough passes yesterday. Probably that was the game plan. If not i'm calling you out Deanna Wong. It is okay to get blocked. When a teammate gets blocked the best leaders would let themselves get blocked, brushes it off and play again. Kat Tolentino is a tall OH which makes her a target of spikes. Which eases the burden on the libero Dani Ravena. I suggest you do 10,000 egg rolls. You know to get rid of vertigo. Jules Samonte is fearless. Ponggay Gaston is a spark on and off the bench - a role that she must always personify. Who else will defend the floor for the Lady Eagles?
3. De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers
I do not see any team in the league stopping DLSU. At least in the first round of the eliminations. They have ice water in their veins developed from their championship titles. This season Kim Kianna Dy looks to lead DLSU to another championship ring while Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng, Aduke Ogunsanya and Tin Tiamzon provide the firepower. Dawn Macandili is her usual busybody self. Michelle Cobb should rise to the pressure of being the setter of the defending champions.
4. Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws
FEU looks good on paper but they need composure to gut it out with the better teams. Ha Bernadette Pons is magic. FEU's floor defense is holding up but they need to step up their blocking. Otherwise the floor defense can be overworked. They seem to have found the right combination. Chin Chin Basas, Negrito, Guinoo, Domingo and substitute players Cayuna.
5. National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs
Watch out for NU as their rotation becomes solid. I know its easy to look good against a lowly team like UE but games like this boosts your confidence. NU played not to lose against FEU and they lost. I would't say overconfident but they trying out new plays bringing in new players in the rotation. As it was Paran's absence in the first set has NU's defense wobbly. Drop shots after drop shots were dropped on them with Urdas and the bigs the primary targets. This said this was a welcome loss as NU will have time to address their weakness. Singh and Doromal need to step up to help Jaja Santiago, Jasmine Nabor, Sato, Paran, Urdas, Ponce and the rest.
6. University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses
UST playing without EJ Laure and the addition of OH Milena Alessandrini has them adjusting. They have short MBs Shannen Palec, Tin Francisco, Caitlyn Viray their best blocker. The disadvantage in that is their second, third, fourth jumps wouldn't be as high or as quick as their first jump. But if they summon their fighting spirit and timing that would even up the competition. Cherry Rondina is a scoring machine but she has to improve her defense - at the net and the floor defense. Carla Sandoval is a more defensive OPP but her offense needs to improve. Make floaters okay. Milena Alessandrini no doubt is a gem. Alina Bicar should take charge. Who knows one game can bring them back to their groove.
7. University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors
Shaya Adorador can hold his own as a starter for Generika. UE turns a new leaf with a new coach in Rod Roque. Outgoing Coach Francis Vicente would be invaluable as President of Volleyball Operations due to his savvy and knowledge. Me-ann Mendrez is the co-captain of this team. She should hit harder though. Their setter should set up the MBs as well so as to be unpredictable. I know Baliton is the captain playing as an MB now. But she is a trained setter. I'll play her as setter but she needs conditioning to get the lift for blocking and help in the floor defense too. Seth Rodriguez is their best MB while Mikaela Lopez should get the lift too. I'm glad Kat Arado has gotten her groove back. Judith Abil is a breath of fresh air. She needs variation in her attacks - spikes, floaters, you get the idea.
8. University of the Philippines (UP) lady Maroons
I'm impressed with UP on how they dig and receive during warmups so they just gotta get used to the pressure. Make heady plays on defense to pump the offense. Make heady plays on offense to pump the defense. Make it work. Tots Carlos needs to stop her jump serves to conserve her energy. The purpose of the serve is to score aces or to force easy overs. Her jump serve does not do that. Other than that Carlos is the most feared spiker this year. Speaking of serves Molde, Buitre and Layug has them scoring easy points. Their blocking needs improvement while they wait for Ramos.
