MANILA, Philippines — With University of the Philippines’ rise in the volleyball scene comes the immense pressure of sustaining it.
The Lady Maroons took the Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam trophy Thursday night and amid the celebrations, coach Godfrey Okumu mulled over the weight of translating their off-season success to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Three months ago, UP also bagged the collegiate conference diadem in the Premier Volleyball League, ending its arduous 36-year wait for a major title.
“It means a lot of pressure for the UAAP,” said Okumu, who was seconded by a “That’s true!” from Tots Carlos as they sat side-by-side during the post-game press conference.
UP showed its newfound championship form in a sudden death battle for the collegiate crown, trouncing unbeaten University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 16-25, 25-23, 25-19.
The Lady Maroons exacted revenge against the only team that defeated them in the eliminations.
UP subdued University of the East, Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, Far Eastern University and De La Salle University-Dasmariñas to finish at No. 2 and set up the title clash with No. 1 UST.
“I believe, since two to three years ago, this team was a champion team. It was just a matter of time. But, big pressure. The UAAP is another game all together. We just played against three of the other teams (in the UAAP – UE, FEU and UST). We don’t want to judge ourselves before playing against everybody else,” said Okumu.
“Yes, we want to go out there and win the UAAP. But we have to tread carefully. We have to be polite as we move on, train, work hard. Because it’s a really big challenge for us and we wouldn’t like to play so well in the off-season then when the real tournament comes up, we don’t perform. So it puts us in a very tight situation. But the fight is there so we are going to fight until the end,” added Okumu.
Meanwhile, UP dedicated its PSL CGS title to Dominic Sytin, CEO of team sponsor United Auctioneers, Inc., who was gunned down in Subic last month.
As soon as Maristela Layug scored the championship-clinching quick kill, the Lady Maroons celebrated at centercourt, holding stickers that read “#JusticeforDom.”
“Yes, (we offer the championship to him). Since last game, every game is for him. Every training is for him. Sobrang laki ng tulong ni Tito Dom (Sytin) sa amin sa team. Ang championship na ‘to, pinilit talaga naming kunin. The motto (during the championship) is ‘Fight.’ ‘Yun ang laging sinasabi ni Tito Dom. Okay lang matalo pero lumalaban,” said Carlos, who attached the sticker across her chest during the post-game press conference.