Metro Manila, Philippines – De La Salle University (DLSU) rookie setter Eshana Nunag led the Lady Spikers to a dominating victory over University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Nunag had 16 excellent sets and three points from two blocks and an ace.
The Taft-based squad swept UST in straight sets, 25-14, 25-15, 26-24.
Team captain Shevana Laput led the team with 22 points, while Angel Canino added 13 markers.
Nunag said she treated the match as if it was a regular training session.
“Nasa mindset lang po na parang training lang. Focus lang sa mga kasama, focus lang sa coaches,” she said.
[Translation: In my mindset, it’s just like training, so I focused on my teammates and my coaches.]
“Coming from the last game, gusto ko lang na ang goal po is to improve more and to learn more,” she added, noting that her debut game against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws made her eager to excel as her team’s primary setter.
[Translation: Coming from the last game, my goal was just to improve and learn more.]
Meanwhile, La Salle’s deputy coach Noel Orcullo attributed Nunag’s composure and quick adjustment to collegiate-level competition, despite playing in front of a packed crowd, to her being part of the team’s training pool since her senior high school years under head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“Maaga namin siyang na-incorporate sa sistema ni Coach Ramil, kailangan lang ma-expose para masanay lang talaga sa tao,” said Orcullo.
DLSU will face the University of the Philippines, which holds the same 2-0 win-loss record, on Wednesday.
