When I got inside The Arena in San Juan, UP was still battling UE. So I got to my seat and looked around. I saw loads of those elongated yellow balloons, UST's trademark, but couldn't seem to spot the Yellow Jackets. I said to myself, maybe they're not yet here cuz it's still the second set between UP and UE. And so I just laid back and tried to enjoy the game in front of me. After UE disposed of UP in straight sets, to my surprise, the UST-YJ were still nowhere to be found.
At exactly 4:00PM, the match started. UST was kind of slow to their feet as they scrambled in the first frame losing the set to 14-25. The Tigresses didn't show any weakness but rather showed eagerness and put up a better fight in the second set. The set was very tight that neither team was leading by more than two points. Then at 17-17, the worst possible thing that could happen, happened. A Tigress went down, literally.
Rhea Dimaculangan, the Tigresses' team captain and main setter, was injured. She sprained her left ankle.
Trying to score a point, DMac rolled her left ankle after she stepped on teammate Maika Ortiz' foot after a joust on the net. The crowd was dumbfounded with what happened. It was so silent that you could hear a pin drop and as if angels went down from heaven. Even I was close to tears when I saw my idol down on the court and couldn't stand on her own. Rhea was trying to nurse the injury by stomping her foot but I guess it was a little too serious that she had to forge out of the match. Carried by her teammates, the dominant UST crowd at the Arena applauded and cheered for her as she steps out of the court. No loud drums to lift her, and everyone else's, spirit up, just the hundreds of people present. It was such a tear-jerking moment, if you ask me.
Loren Lantin, reserve setter, went in for DMac. She was as shocked as everyone else was. But nonetheless, even if she was cold and unprepared, she had to do the setting duties for the Tigresses.
Being only in her second playing year, Loren is still a bit awkward when setting the ball. But hey, years back, Rhea was just as awkward with that position, but look at her now. Lantin doesn't have what the fans call Rhea's "bumabalikong katawan" when she sets. But what she has helped UST snatch the second set: Focus and pure determination.
What was amazing during the rest of the match was not only the support of the Tiger pack, but also how every Tigress stepped up their game. Not just a notch higher, but veteran level. Let's face it: Loren's sets were not as good as DMac's. But the entire team adjusted to how she wanted plays to go and the spikers responded to it and scored point after point after point. That's the perfect definition of team work. Each and every one of them contributed; Even Pam Lastimosa, a rookie, scored back to back to back aces from the service box that helped in their cause and got the third set.
With every point the Tigresses made, the crowd went wild. The crowd was the Yellow Jackets. We were the Yellow Jackets who roared loud and proud. And it was obvious that the team was dedicating the match to their leader. And we wanted to be part of it. It was really such a sight to see. Ateneo had their Blue Babble Battalion with them, but the voices of the dominant UST crowd was even louder than their drums.
The UST Tigresses were up 2 sets to 1. And Ateneo was looking to neutralize it and extend it to a 5th and deciding set. During the fourth set, Rhea DMac was seen in the bench and the crowd went ballistic again thinking that she would come back in for Loren. The ever persistent setter was begging to Coach Odjie to put her back in the game, even though she was still limping. Don't you just love the fighting spirit of this Tigress?
The game ended with the assigned captain Maru Banaticla having 15 markers and 12 each for Maika Ortiz, Judy Caballejo and Pam Lastimosa. Ten out of the eleven players Coach Odjie sent in delivered for UST and because of that, we won.
The entire Arena roared as the Tigresses defeated AdMU in this game. Everyone was dancing, jumping and cheering with their yellow balloons as the team ran to the court and celebrated the victory. Rhea was nearby to see her team celebrate as if they've won the championship already, smiling in glee with her picture-perfect smile that melts me every single time. Haha! Everyone was hugging everyone and giving pats on the back. They all deserved it. And Rhea got a free piggyback ride from Maika all the way to the locker room! And guess who lead the UST Hymn? The entire crowd! That's how the Tiger Pack rolls, baby. We're not there just to watch you play, but to support you all the way!
Rhea's injury was sure a blessing in disguise. Hats off to Loren Lantin for delivering a stellar job doing the setting work for the team. I'm sure Rhea is very proud of you. You've been patiently waiting for your time and your patience has paid off. To Rhea, if you're reading this, I hope you're feeling better now! You've been a great leader and motivator to your team, all this is for you. To the entire UST-WVT, kudos for the great performance and team work! Only a genuine champion team with full of heart could pull that off. Go Tigresses! One for UST! Go USTe!
When a Tigress falls, everyone helps her get back up.
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| The Tigresses with Rhea Dimaculangan at the back celebrating their win against the AdMU Lady Eagles. Photo (c) UAAP S74. |
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