First round pick AC Miner made sure to rebound in her second game for ZUS Coffee after experiencing a loss in her pro debut.
ZUS Coffee rookie AC Miner is delighted to finally get the jitters out of the way as she uncorked a Best Player of the Game performance in just her second game with the Thunderbelles, helping them to a five-set escape of the Capital1 Solar Spikers in Montalban late Sunday evening.
Selected fifth overall in the draft last month, a lot of expectations were placed on Miner’s shoulders, especially since she was asked to return to her natural position of being a middle blocker after playing her final year of college as a wing.
After what she described as an “overwhelming” debut against Akari on Saturday, Miner was able to regain her bearings almost immediately, scoring 18 points in a resounding win over the Solar Spikers just 24 hours later.
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“The feeling at first is very overwhelming. Today and yesterday naman ang naging support system ko ay ‘yung coaches and teammates ko. Mas better na ‘yung feeling ko ngayon sa pro,” Miner said after the victory on Sunday night.
Miner admitted that there was a lot of difference in the way she handled things now that she was a pro.
But as she continues to familiarize herself of the Thunderbelles’ system, Miner is optimistic of what they can do, especially after pushing Akari to five sets and then taking a maiden win in the preseason in just their second game.
“It’s very different from what I am used to sa college. Nag mi-middle ulit ako, pero I am still just adjusting. Siyempre with the team din, since less than a month din since nung na draft nila ako. [But] overall, okay naman overall for us,” she said.
“Five set today, and yesterday, pero nanalo today. I think mas malayo pa mararating ng team this season,” she added.
On her personal growth, Miner spoke about how the team helped her realign herself — even within games themselves.
Against Capital1, Miner struggled before finally getting her rhythm.
“‘Yun nga sa second set hindi na ako nakakapatay, so hinelp ako nila coach, and ‘yung teammates ko rin na magkaroon din ng variation sa ginagawa ko. Naging effective naman kasi nakahabol kami noong fourth set, and nakuha namin ‘yung win today,” she said.
But bigger challenges lie ahead for Miner as the Thunderbelles are slated to battle title contenders Cignal and Creamline next when they head to Passi City, Iloilo on July 19 and July 20.
As far as Miner is concerned, she’ll just continue to work on her craft and hopefully be fully adjusted by the time the next challenge rolls around. Thankfully for her, she has a couple of weeks' time to refine.
“Yes, to be honest it’s [going to] be challenging naman po. Everyday naman, nagtatrabaho ako sa training para malagpasan ang mga hurdles na 'yon at masanay sa pagiging middle na talaga,” she said.