I watched the game from the "Lower Box" of San Juan Arena, unfortunately behind me was the FEU cheering squad (made up of loud, coarse-voiced men) and drummers. Sitting there, watching the game, made me feel what it was really like to watch the games live.
First, magastos (expensive). Going there by G-Liner bus costs around P15.00 from Lawton (but I still had to take prior transportation to get to Lawton). And, the ticket! It costs P120 for "ringside" which was like a dozen rows pa behind the "School Officials" seats. Hay nako. (Lesson: Be there at around 12.30nn for a 2pm game.)
Second, maingay. The men behind me (as mentioned) was very loud and..well, I guess they were too below-the-belt with their cheers (which helped FEU a lot) and jeers (which affected the La Salle players, Illa Santos the most). They were saying things like: (To Illa) Mag-trabaho ka na lang! or Laos ka na! (To Steph Mercado) 'Wag ka na ang chaka mo!
If I were more courageous (and pikon) I would have stood up and cheered whenever Illa scores a point, "Sino'ng laos!" or "Hindi ito beauty contest."
But I guess that's part of the game. Cheers are cheers, no matter how foul they may be.
Third, full of energy. Every point scored (especially in the first set, and the fourth and fifth) people got up to score and cheer. Yes, it was a La Salle crowd--on the count that there were many La Salle fans there--but the FEU fans (though outnumbered) cheered their hearts out. And I guess, being champions, they have earned a following.
Why LA Salle lost:
1. Manilla Santos was not in her usual impeccable game. I guess the crowd (jeering her) affected her game. She had some service errors, and her spikes were not that..um, accurate? But I had to give it to her though, she reall
y led her team out there. She was constantly saying things to boost the morale of her teammates, even though they lost two straight sets.2. Melissa Gohing (libero) had notable receiving errors during the end part of the game, which could have spelled the difference, though she had some nice digs (on Shaira Gonzales, who was by the way injured at the end of the fourth set, and Rachelle Ann Daquis).
3. Blocking was great, as usual.., but not as intense.
4. Intensity-wise, only a few players were intense. Santos, Gohing (as always), Michelle Datuin and.. I guess, they were the only ones who wanted to win it all.
5. Kaye Martinez is still not the best of setters--which makes it hard for La Salle since she's going up against a witty April Jose of FEU.
6. Service errors killed La Salle. And April Jose's drop balls (three I think) translated into points. All her attempts at the drop. :'(
6. They lacked focus, and the heart to win. They had errors which I think were brought about by the intensity of the game, and the crowd going against them. The La Salle crowd should come out to watch and cheer in Game Two. Rally behind the team, so to speak.
What La Salle needs to do to win in Game Two:
1. Focus. Don't let the crowd affect you. Play your usual game.
2. It has been said that La Salle is not the type of team who wins five-setters so I think it's better for them to win the first two sets to give them the confidence they need.
3. Illa Santos should really dominate--not in the Daquis way--but in her own support-your-teammates-and-do-your-thing way.. The team needs a leader. A true one that gets things done. Her serves should be accurate the next time.
4. Though they were well-prepared for Daquis, La Salle shouldn't take for granted other players like Gonzales, Maika Morada, and even Vivas. They attack and score. So beware.
What the La Salle community needs to do:
CHEER (Y)OUR HEARTS OUT!
The team needs the support. It's war out there, as I've seen and experienced.
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