Loss to Letran an early wake-up call for Perpetual, says coach Sandy Rieta

Published April 17, 2024 5:54pm Updated April 17, 2024 5:54pm University of the Perpetual Help System DALTA was among the favorites heading to the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament following a Final Four appearance the previous season. But just two games into the new season, the Lady ALTAs suffered a blowout loss to Colegio […]

T Kauer T Kauer
Apr 17, 2024 - 21:30
Loss to Letran an early wake-up call for Perpetual, says coach Sandy Rieta

Loss to Letran an early wake-up call for Perpetual, says coach Sandy Rieta thumbnail

Published April 17, 2024 5:54pm

Updated April 17, 2024 5:54pm

University of the Perpetual Help System DALTA was among the favorites heading to the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament following a Final Four appearance the previous season.

But just two games into the new season, the Lady ALTAs suffered a blowout loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran after a decisive opening day win over Jose Rizal University.

Perpetual head coach Sandy Rieta, though, said they treated the defeat as a lesson moving forward.

“Siguro early wakeup call siya and siguro talagang may pagkukulang kami at talagang malakas din naman sila,” Rieta told GMA News Online.

“Kailangan nilang magising talaga. Pinag-usapan namin kung bakit kami natalo sa Letran and may pagkukulang naman kaming lahat so kinausap ko sila and hiningi ko opinyon nila individually at inayos namin sa training.”

(Perhaps it was a wakeup call, we had our shortcomings and they were a strong team. They needed to wake up. We talked about how we lost to Letran and all of us fell short one way or another so I talked to them individually and we fixed it in training.)

That was the case when Perpetual returned to action on Wednesday, gutting out a 25-20, 26-24, 20-25, 25-20 romp against Mapua University to regain its winning ways.

Leading from front is reigning MVP Mary Rhose Dapol, who churned out an all-around outing of 20 points, 11 digs, and 10 receptions as the Lady ALTAs improved to 2-1 while sending Mapua to its second straight loss.

But Rieta stressed they still have a long way to go, especially with a stronger playing field featuring defending champion Benilde and surprise contender Letran.

“Sa tingin ko naman is nakita ko naman. Pero syempre, parang kulang pa rin. Marami pa rin room for improvement,” he added.

“Sabi ko ‘wag nilang intindihin ‘yung hype na ‘yun at ‘wag masyadong ipasok sa utak kasi mas importante ‘yung puso.”

(I think I saw it, but of course there is still room for improvement. I told them not to mind the hype and don’t think about it because the heart is more important.)

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

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