#POTD: UE’s Shaya Adorador

After finishing their losing streak last Season, the UE Lady Warriors are bidding goodbye to their losing tradition and hoping for an improved campaign this Season 79. With UE’s dream of recovering from their losing skid, UE’s lineup for this season is much stronger and ready to fight for a better record this season. They might not be a crowd favored team but they can give the crowd a good game.

Few months before the UAAP Volleyball Tournament will start, I would like  to share some of my thought about some UAAP Spiker and Teams to watch this season. For the Player of the Day analysis, Shaya Adorador of the UE Lady Warriors will debut.

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As UE hoping for a better record this season, expect more of Shaya Adorador for UE this season. So far  she’s still the #1 option of UE for their offense but unlike in the previous season, Adorador now will get assistance from her team mates like Judith Abil and Mary Anne Mendrez.

ADORADOR’S PSL STINT

For me she’s one of the Player’s to watch for this UAAP Season. If you’re watching her stint together with the Generika LifeSavers squad in the Philippine Superliga, I saw how much she improved. The best thing for her is her mentor in UE, Coach Francis Vicente adopt her in the Generika LifeSavers team and let her to experience the experiences she needs for their UAAP Season 79 stint. So far, so good for Shaya Adorador, she’c scoring very well for the Life Savers in PSL. During the PSL-AFC, she bagged MVP of the Game Award from Generika’s victories.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Just like what I’ve mentioned above, she’s scoring well for the Generika Life Savers. On Generika’s ongoing campaign in the PSL Grand Prix, Adorador is averaging 7pts per game. Her conference high score is 15 points, she earned it during their very controversial match against the RC Cola Army Lady Troopers.

QUEEN WARRIOR IN THE MAKING

With her improvements showcased in her stint in PSL, Adorador continues to prove the UE can do better this season and with her fire power in the PSL, we are hoping that the firepower the she has shown in helping Generika in scoring can be brought by her in the UAAP.

 

 

Duterte declares October as “Volleyball Month”

President Rodrigo Duterte  declared as the “Volleyball Month” wherein, Philippines is set to host the FIVB  Women’s Club World  Championship.

Credits to Kim-Ai Nagal Yamanga

The main purpose of this Proclamation done by our dearest President, it is done for us Filipinos to give attention  on the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship and on the involvement of Filipinos in the sport of Volleyball.

This Proclamation is a big thing for the entire Philippine Volleyball community. As Volleyball continues to rise and evolve here in our country, this Proclamation can help Filipinos on their awareness on the sport of Volleyball.

If you’re an avid fan of the sport, I’m sure you’re really happy about this good news coming from our President Digong.

Tigers, Tigress Lorded UAAP Beach Volley

The UST Tiger Spikers and Tigresses were very dominant in the ongoing UAAP Beach Volleyball Tournament held at SM Sands by the Bay in Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Both squad from UST only needs 1 win to sweep the eliminations and looking forward for another Finals appearance especially the Tigresses who missed the Finals last season.

With the Blue Eagles from Katipunan being eliminated from the contention, the chance of a comeback championship for the UST Tiger Spikers is becoming possible as the Tigers only need 1 game to secure their dominance in the Men’s Division.

For the Tigresses, they were much hungrier this season and we saw a lot of improvement on Rondina-Gutierrez tandem. The Season 76 Beach Volleyball Champs lead by former Rookie-MVP Cherry Rondina may not think of sweeping the elimination but based on their performance in their past few assignments, they were looking good and strong to be this season’s top contender for the Gold Medal.

 

Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference: Preview

But first, here’s the lineup for the upcoming Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference

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REINFORCED CONFERENCE

We all know that every year Shakey’s V-League always had their Reinforced Conference, their last conference of this season I think. It is the time of the conference where the participating teams are allowed to draw and invite some imports and guest players coming inside and outside of our country.  As this season’s open conference is a conference to watch out for because of the new names  of the import invited to play in this conference and the twist and turns that revamped and give some teams changes in their lineups.

 

WHAT’S  NEW?

Every conference, we always watch for new faces and new teams. And for this conference, there are new faces and a new team. One of the new teams who will debut their V-League Title Stint is the Bureau of Customs. The mentioned BOC team is compose of some young players, veteran , import and well-known players such as Alyssa Valdez. The surprising resettlement of the Phenom  is a big surprise specially to the fans of Bali Pure Water Defenders.

Philippine Coast Guard is not a new team but for their lineup for this year’s reinforced conference consists of young and new faces.

POCARI SWEAT LADY WARRIORS

The Defending Champions.

So far, they are the crowd early favorites not just because they are the defending champion but for their lineup as well. Skill-wise, Offense-wise and defense-wise, those were just the strength of this team and  I think their imports can amplify and strengthen the power of this team. In my point of view, the imports are just their to be the  back up players of this team, their locals are offensively and defensively talented.

For this conference, I think they can won their First-ever reinforced conference Championship trophy and their 2-in a row championship reign in Shakey’s V-League.

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE LADY JET SPIKERS

The Runners-up.

For this conference, PAF Lady Jet Spikers will fill in an All-Filipino lineup. I remember last SVL 13 Open Conference, If I’m not mistaken they swept the elimination round and fell short to the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors in their Finals Match-up.

For me they just need to improve their maturity and confidence in the court because I observed during their Final Game against Pocari, they lack focus whenever Pocari makes a run and they just scramble and lack communication during the last set. They need to adjust in terms of defense, now imports are coming in this conference.

BALI PURE WATER DEFENDERS

The Third wheel.

A lot of adjustments must be done in this team specially they lost some of their players like Janine Marciano who shifted to Cignal HD Spikers in PSL, Gretchel Soltones who shifted to Laoag Spikers, and one of their ace player, Alyssa Valdez who shifted to the newbie Bureau of Customs team. But in spite of losing 3 ace players, there are some players who can replace them, this conference, some former PLDT Ultrafast Hitters ace players will have their debut game as new Bali Pure water Defenders stunners liker Sue Roces and Sasa Devanadera. With the entry of Roces and Devanadera plus the entry of their 2 imports, expect a more powerful Bali Pure.

In the last Open Conference, they lost their semis against Pocari because of their number of errors committed during their semis match up. They were almost at the top of the standing during the eliminations but during the semis, errors piled up and let them to settle in 3rd place.

They really need to work on their consistency. Now that former PLDT stunners sutied up for them, it will be an advantage for them to have more strength in their offense and defense.

UP LADY MAROONS

The Now You See Me Team.

From bottom to a podium finish, that’s the story of this squad from Diliman. This is a young team and it has a lot future in the names of Isa Molde, Diana Carlos, Marian Buitre, and Justine Dorog. While veterans Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon will still suit up for them. Expect a more improve and more powerful UP Lady Maroons, together with their Thai reinforcement, their goal is to have  a podium finish again after finishing 3rd last Collegiate Conference.

LAOAG 

The Revelation.

For me, Laoag is one of the underdog team in the SVL Open Conference. But for me, this team is a team to watch for this season as NCAA MVP and former Bali Pure Stunner, Gretchel Soltones and NU stunners, Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh will join this Laoag team together with Jema Galanza and Jovelyn Prado. Chie Saet, their setter  has lots of option in their offense, unluckily, Mylene Paat and Fenela Emnas will not suit up for them this season as Paat will play in PSL  for Cignal HD Spikers.

The question is, how Saet will maximize her team mates in spite of not having a reinforced/import player?

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

The Underdogs.

Their last stint in the SVL Open Conference last year wasn’t that successful and for this year’s Reinforced conference they will suit for a revamped lineup. This may be a young team and for me it is one of the teams to watch for and how they will play in spite of losing some veteran player like Rossan Fajardo. Let’s see who’ll step up for the Lady Dolphins this season.

UST GOLDEN TIGRESSES

The Never Give Up Team.

The UST Golden Tigresses are still looking for another SVL Crown. As per Coach Kung Fu, they will not have any import for this conference but instead they will use this Reinforced Conference as one of their preparations for the upcoming UAAP. They may not reach the semis last Collegiate conference, but now their veteran players are back to suit up for the Espana-based squad. As Chloe Cortez, Ej Laure, Riri Meneses and Cherry Rondina skipped their PSL stint for their mother team, UST.  They have improved players, I’m excited to watch Chloe Cortez on how she will perform in this conference, remember she was a surprise for Coach Francis in the stint of Generika Life Savers in PSL and she was one of the 10 top scorers in the said league. With no imports. they gonna lean on their veterans.

In addition, Pam Lastimosa who just recovered from her injury last year will suit again for the Spikers from Espana.

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

The Newbie.

This is a team to watch for, not just because they are a debuting team in the league but of their lineup as well. As the Multitled Phenom, Alyssa Valdez will suit up for them. As SVL released tentative lineup, many are asking, “Sino ang libero ng BOC?” this is still questionable up to now.  A lot of new names are included in this team so I considered them as a young yet developing team for now. With their 2-imports, I’m excited to see this team play with Valdez and hoping they overcome the criticism of some that Valdez will only lift this team and this team is not a competing team this season.

Team Review: San Sebastian Lady Stags

In spite of falling short in the last NCAA Season 91, the San Sebastian Lady Stags is showing continuous improvement with their performances in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference.

Based on what I observed in the performance of this team in the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, they become more solid and  the 2-time NCAA MVP Gretchel Soltones gets help from her teammates like Katherine Villegas , Alyssa Eroa and  Joyce Sta. Rita.

As of now, they are the most SOLID team in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball even though the Lady Blazers of College of Saint Benilde were the defending champs.  I was convinced to formulate this conclusion because of the big wins made by the squad from Recto, they swept the former UAAP Champions, Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles with a comeback win during the 3rd set and beats UAAP Teams like UST.

In spite of felling short in the last NCAA Season 91, the San Sebastian Lady Stags isshowing continuous improvement with their performances in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Collegeiate Conference.

SOLTONES GETS BACK-UP

In the past NCAA Season, SSC-R swept the elimination but fell down in the hands of CSB Lady Blazers in the Finals series. Some analysts says and Coach Gorayeb always says to the girls from recto, “Tulungan niyo si Gretchel”. It’s been Gretchel Soltones who is the working wonder for the Lady Stag last season. And with the performance of the Lady Stags in the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, we saw a solid San Sebastian squad, almost everyone of us were contributing. I also saw some potential players  from them like Katherine Villegas, she is a smart player and can be a scorer too.  Aside from Villegas, Joyce Sta. Rita also shined for the Lady Stags especially in their game against TIP Lady Engineers, where she and Kath Villegas scored in double digits.

If this kind of performance showned by the Lady Stags will continue until the NCAA Season 92 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, they can regain and avenge for their heart breaking loss last season.

EROA’S VAST IMPROVEMENT 

For me this girl gets better and better, in the past wins of the Lady Stags, her defense helped the Lady Stag to earn a victory. Currently, she’s #1 in terms of Digging, and #6 in receiving, not bad for a libero. I was impressed with her performance during their game against UST if I’m not mistaken, she produced 30 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions in a 4-set game.

 

 

Team Review: NU Lady Bulldogs

After it’s ejection in last season’s Final Four in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the Lady Bulldogs from Sampaloc are now trying to solve their problem with the loss of playmakers in the name of Rica Diolan, Ivy Perez and Azie Soliven. And participating in different leagues and experimenting on some players is one move of the coaching staff of the Bustillos-based squad to regain their lost glory.

With Jasmine Nabor playing as their new play maker, we saw the potential of the Lady Bulldogs to comeback in the next season’s Final Four reign. And with Jaja Santiago being maximized by Nabor, NU has a chance of entering the Finals this UAAP Season 79.

In the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference, we saw how NU thirsts for glory. In terms of team statistics, the Lady Bulldogs were no. 1 in Attacks, Setting ,  and Blocking. While in the Individual statistics, Lady Bulldogs Santiago and Nabor were ranked no. 1 in Blocking and Setting department.

THE CONVERSION OF NABOR

For me, this is a great move from the coaching staff of the Lady Bulldogs. Nabor is also a great spiker and showned a great potential as NU’s starting setter. When Nabor started to play as NU’s main setter, we saw a different NU squad. They really improved in terms of Attacking, their attacks became unpredictable when Nabor started to play as a setter. If Kim Fajardo of DLSU will still play for DLSU next season,  it would be a tight battle for the Best Setter award between Nabor and Fajardo.

In the ongoing SVL Collegiate Conference, Nabor is averaging 13.56 excellent sets per set.

UNSTOPPABLE JAJA

With Nabor maximizing Santiago, Jaja can really be a big threat not only in defense but in offense as well. Aside from being a middle hitter, Jaja can also be an open spiker where she can spike more lethal. When she’s playing as middle hitter, she can use her height to find the open spots in the defense of their opponent and sometimes she’s more unpredictable  when she play as middle because of the combination plays set by Nabor.

 

 

 

End or Extend?

Will the F2 Logistics end the series or will the Foton Tornadoes force a do-or-die game number 3 in their final duel in PSL All Filipino Conference. During their first game wherein the Cargo Movers emerged victorious after outlasting the Tornadoes in a thrilling 5-set match last August 11,2016.

The Cargo Movers took control of the first 2 sets and then Foton explodes in the 3rd frame limiting the Cargo Movers to nail only 9 pts.

MATCH RESULTS:

SET 1 25-20

SET 2 25-14

SET 3 9-25

SET 4 20-25

SET 5 15-10

KEY PLAYERS:

For the Winning team, F2 Logistics. Instead of considering Marano as the best player for F2 in that game because she is the leading scorer, It was Macandili and Fajardo, the 2 stunners behind F2 great plays and defense played well and contributed a lot. With Fajardo finishing the game with  a game-high 40 excellent sets over Foton’s Dimaculangan who just earned 26 excellent sets. While the defense specialist of F2,  Dawn Macandili bested her arch rival from Foton Bia General who only earned 15 excellent digs and 7 receptions. Macandili earned a game-high of 25 excellent digs and 12 receptions.

For Foton, Rondina shines again for Foton. Rondina leads in the scorers in Foton, followed by the 6 foot 5 Santiago who finished the game with 19 points. Rondina earned 22 pts coming from 17 attacks 3 blocks and 2 service aces.

KEY TO CHAMPIONSHIP

For F2 Cargo Logistics, if they really want to seal their First-ever PSL Title, they should improve on their consistency which is greatly showcased during Game 1.They just need also to be smarter in both defense and offense. No problem at all, F2 needs to show more of their teamwork.

For Foton, It’s their error and consistency that hindered them from taking the Game 1 of the Final Series. If they want to extend the series, they need to be more consistent, less errors, and maximize their  other players like Maika Ortiz, Ej Laure and etc. Rondina and Santiago need to feel the heat on in the start of the Game no. 2. If they will be on fire on the do-or-die Game no. 2, surely F2 will have a hard time to defend Foton.

Both teams are hungry to win, both of them really deserves to earn the Championship Trophy its just that there should be only one winner.

 

 

 

 

 

When Eagles Cry

This year’s SVL Collegiate Conference, we saw a different Ateneo Lady Eagles. With no Alyssa Valdez in the lineup,  we saw how the girls from Katipunan missed Valdez’ plays and presence in the court as they lost in their first 2 games in the said tournament. During their first game against the TIP Lady Engineers, we saw how powerful the offense of the Lady Eagles but it’s just their floor defense and errors that gives the TIP an advantage to outlast them in a 5-setter game. In their second game against the San Sebastian Lady Stags, their consistency in scoring was tested as the Lady Stag magnificently overcome the 11 pt lead in the 3rd set to seal their victory over the scrambling Lady Eagles.

Before entering the said tournament, they are fresh from Asean University Games where they won a Bronze medal. But that time, they were with the Phenom, Alyssa Valdez.

WHEN EAGLES CRY 

It was strange for the Lady Eagles to see them struggling and missing their seniors in the court. But failures and downfalls are just part of development towards being called as “CHAMPIONS”. Before the Lady Eagles captured their first-ever UAAP Women’s Volleyball crown, they experience to be at the bottom of the standings.

CONSISTENCY AND ERRORS

For me, this is the #1 problem of the Lady Eagles, they lack consistency in their defense and offense. Yes, they have good spikers like Morente, Gequillana, and Samonte but their errors let their opponent to have the advantage instead of them. They have a good setter, but in order for the setter to easily set the ball to the spiker, they must have first a good first ball, which is their problem since Denden Lazaro bid goodbye to the Katipunan squad. And for me I consider their floor defense a reason behind their lost against their arch-rival De La Salle Lady Spikers.  Aside from consistency in defense, they must be also consistent with their attacks or offense.

In their game against TIP, Ateneo committed not less than 50 errors. They almost give an easy 2-sets for the Lady Engineers. That costly gave TIP an advantage to outlast the Lady Eagles in the 5th set of the match.

STEP UP LADY EAGLE!

Here are some players who shined in the first 2 games  of the Lady Eagles:

                                                             PAULINE GASTON

It was a blast for the former Espana-based spiker to lead the Lady Eagles in scoring despite their loss against TIP Lady Engineers. Gaston finished with 17 points in that game, leading the Lady Eagles in the scoring department. She’s just only a sophomore stunner and will be the Future of the Lady Eagles in the next seasons of UAAP.

                                                           JULES SAMONTE

From Green to blue, the rookie Jules Samonte debuted as Middle Blocker substituting Bea de Leon who didn’t play in their first game against TIP Lady Engineers. During that game, Samonte wowed lots of fans with her scoring ability and attacks. Correct me if I’m wrong, Samonte finished 7 points in her debut game in SVL, not bad for a rookie like her.  But in their game against SSC-R Lady Stags, with her team struggling, she stepped up among her seniors and finished the game with 10 pts. Another future of the Lady Eagles, hoping Coach Tai Bundit will develop this girl because she has lots of potential.

RISE SENIOR LADY EAGLES!

credits to the owner of this pic

With Maraguinot still not suiting up for the Lady Eagles in their first 2 games in SVL because of injury, other senior Lady Eagles should step up in their games. The young ones instead stepping up for them just like Pauline Gaston and Jules Samonte. I understand the situation of Morente and Gopico. Morente suiting back for the Lady Eagles after skipping the Last 2 seasons of UAAP because of Academic aspects and for Gopico,  came back for the Lady Eagles after recovering from an ACL Injury. Morente increased her weight that’s why her plays right now is somehow different on what she showned us during her rookie year in Ateneo. For Gopico, since her high school career, she has been known for her power but for now, she still have the power but she lack quickness.

For me,  Coach Tai should replace Gizelle Tan. She can be a good defender but she lack consistency. Coach Tai should train her players in defending well. With Coach Sherwin Meneses, the former mentor of the AdU Lady Falcons, he can get help from him to develop the reception and floor defense of the Lady Eagles.

For the veteran players of Ateneo, Gequillana is showing some improvement. She can already attack from the backrow and her spike were becoming lethal. She can serve well and can be a libero as then. Gequillana, Samonte and Gaston needs support from their team mate. Remember, volleyball is not a one man sport, it’s a team sport.

PSL Finals Survival Kit

In every game, there should be always a winner. Few days from now, the Finals series between the Foton Tornadoes and highly-favored  F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. I’m a fan of both teams and I want both of them to be the champions but  one of them can be called as “CHAMPIONS” at the end of this tournament.

Here are some of my Analysis about the FOTON-F2 match-up:

• OFFENSE

Both squad have strong offense and offensive players. Foton has Cherry Rondina, Jaja Santiago Maika Ortiz, Angeli Araneta and Ej Laure while F2 has Ara Galang, Aby Marano, Kim Kianna Dy, Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron. Both squad are loaded with offensive players that’s why I predict that this Finals series between Foton and F2 will be a showdown of offense ,exchanging of Powerful Spikes ,and finding a hole in the defense of the opponent.

• DEFENSE

In terms of defense, for me F2 has the advantage. But somehow Foton can pace the defense of F2 with General as their defense specialist and for F2 Dawn Macandili is their defense specialist. If Foton could sustain their defense during their upset game over the emerging F2 Logistics squad, they can win the series. Remember, F2 defense is solid, Foton must be consistent enough for their defense to pace with F2’s defense.

• SETTING

Another F2’s advantage over Foton. Both team has veteran setters, namely Rhea Dimaculangan and Kim Fajardo. Dimaculangan is a good setter to but for me Fajardo is better than Dimaculangan. Fajardo’s sets are somehow fasts that gives their opponent a hard time in their net defense.

• SERVICE

Both squad are serving well but sometimes Foton’s problem is their consistency in service area. For me it is another advantage of F2 over Foton. F2 has loaded and sharp serve they need to do more of that serves in the finals series. Both teams must maximize their service, sometimes the service of a player dictates on where/whom the ball shall be set. And with a good serve, your opponent will have a hard time in establishing a play because of poor first ball.

• CONSISTENCY

           For me they were tied in this aspect. This was the problem of F2 Logistic on their first-loss over Foton during the second round of eliminations and was also a problem of Foton during their first round loss over F2.  On this Finals match up between Foton and F2, their consistency will be tested together with their defense. “Kung sino ang unang bumitiw, ang siyang matatalo. Kung sino ang kumapit, siyang mananaig”.

 

Downfall of the Champs

“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”

The Philippine Army Lady Troopers was known in the past years in Philippine Volleyball as one of the Powerhouse team in our country.They were also the team representing the Philippine Army. Some players of the Lady Troopers were former and present member of the Philippine National team. If you would compare them to the other teams, they have more playing experience.

In the previous year, we saw how powerful this team is. In every tournament they joined, sometimes they swept the eliminations and bagged the Championship. But being a Champion team doesn’t mean that your team are always on top. Before you can be called as “Champions”, you need to sacrifice and work for it and being a champion isn’t always about winning, isn’t about how you feud with the struggles that comes to your life. Struggles are just there to test you.

The 4-time Philippine Superliga Champs that we are used to see in a Finals match and on a winning streak, now suffering losing streak and the sad story is they failed to enter the Finals of this year’s PSL All Filipino Conference. It was yesterday when the Lady Trooper bowed down to the young Foton Tornadoes Squad who really showed the veteran team how powerful they are.

“A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. “

I’m  also a fan of the Lady Troopers and I know as a Champion Team  they will try and try to regain their lost glory and I know in the next few conferences and tournaments that they will join, they can bring back the intensity of their game.

Heads up RC Cola Army Lady Troopers! I know you can rise again above all odds.