TEMPERING high expectations after their finals stint last season, the Letran Lady Knights are focused on achieving their goal in the 100th Season of the NCAA women’s volleyball set to start on Feb. 20.
Seeking redemption, the Lady Knights are out to show they have improved big time this season with a team led by last season’s Best Libero Lara Silva, Freshman of the Year Gia Maquilang, Judiel Nitura, Nat Estreller and Nizelle Martin.
The Lady Knights ended a 12-year finals appearance drought last season but lost to the reigning champion College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in the title match.
Letran coach Oliver Almadro yesterday said the team intends to continue the winning culture they showed last year and get ready for the showdowns against other squads that also ramped up their preparations.
“Mataas ang expectations pero rookie-laden kami. So sabi ko ulit, let’s just maintain the culture, iyon lang muna, then let’s see where we can go. Other teams beefed up also, intact din. So malaking challenge this for us and as a matter of fact, alam naman natin ang Benilde is intact na intact, ilang taon pa iyan. But and importante is we’re on the right track. Iyong journey namin going to the NCAA, inaalagaan namin, and hopefully, sana iyong hirap ng mga players ngayon will turn out into good this time,” Almadro said.
“Ang realistic goal namin is targetin muna iyong Final Four. Always ganun naman. So, 10 teams, two rounds, now it’s really hard, ilang games iyan, ang dami na. So, sana ma-maintain namin iyong strength namin, walang injuries, and target first the Final Four and see where we’ll go,” he added.
He admitted the team has yet to reach full battle-ready form but are on a daily grind to make sure they are well-prepared come the competition.
“Kailangan naming malaman kung anong routine ang dapat naming gawin. Hindi pa sanay ang mga players sa two rounds so we really have to focus on our strength, on our physicality. ‘Yun muna and we hope and we really pray that the fans will still be there and the community will be there to support us,” Almadro said.
“Sa ngayon, malayo pa talaga sila sa 100 percent but we’re really working on it and thankful kami sa mga tumutulong sa amin.”
Almadro said the Lady Knights won’t have a “home court” in the first round “school tour” eliminations since Letran’s gymnasium is still under construction.
But he told his players to maintain a positive mindset ahead of the long tournament.
“Wala kaming home court. It will be a really tiring season for us kasi nga iba-iba ng venue tapos two rounds. So, sinasabi ko lang sa mga players na keep themselves fit, aral pa rin, and of course, be positive sa lahat ng nangyayari,” he said.