The learning curve continues for the UP Fighting Maroons even as they completed an opening-day victory over the UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 88.
New UP head coach Fabio Menta is focusing on mental growth after the Fighting Maroons missed a step in their four-set win over the UE Lady Warriors to start UAAP Season 88 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
Menta, who coached his first UAAP game, commented on the team’s sloppy third set where they failed to match UE's effort.
“[The adjustment we made was] more mentally, because we were playing very well at the beginning. Second set was very smooth. And this is the game that we are able to play, but unfortunately, we still have some problems, some issues with the focus,” Menta said.
“It happens many times in many teams, in many countries, when you win 25-9, then you think it's over. And that's a big mistake because UE’s a good team, they work hard, and they proved it, taking the third set. So, we need to grow up.”
[RELATED: UP claims opening win over UE to start UAAP Season 88]
The Fighting Maroons made full use of their promising lineup in the first two sets, bannered by holdovers Irah Jaboneta, and Niña Ytang, and key transferees from UE in Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero.
But in the third set, the Fighting Maroons started out flat and gave up the first three points to UE. They never recovered as the Lady Warriors were able to force an extension.
Nevertheless, Menta gave his team an allowance for first game jitters.
“It's the first game. So, we allow the girls to be distracted in one moment, but it won't happen again, trust me. Because they're going to hear me later. So, the idea is that, I said it to the girls almost every day, but I said it before the game, any time now, we are a very good fast team, we are not a very good slow team,” he said.
“So, when the intensity is different on the other side, we tend to slow down too, and we fall asleep. And then we start making mistakes… Everything changes, and I keep telling them, it's not up to them, it's up to us to become a good team. So, that's a little failure in there,” Menta continued.
Luckily for Menta and the UP team, the leadership of Jaboneta was able to steady the ship in the fourth set.
Four players finished in double-digit scoring for the Fighting Maroons, with Ytang and Jaboneta leading the way with 14 points each.
Dongallo, who exited in the third set due to tightness on her back, chipped in with 13 markers, while Kianne Olango also registered 13 points.
Gajero added five points as well.
‘Amazing’ debut
Apart from the victory, Menta also delighted in being able to clinch a win to mark his first UAAP game.
With the Fighting Maroons having Final Four aspirations, Menta said the UAAP experience has been great so far.
“Oh, the atmosphere is amazing. It's always been amazing in the Philippines in every tournament," said.
"When we go to the provinces, it's one of the best in the world. I haven't seen much more like this. So, I'm very pleased with that. It's also a little more pressure than usual because so many people are watching. But it's been really good today,” Menta added.
The UP Fighting Maroons return to action on Sunday, February 22, against the Ateneo Blue Eagles still at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.