Seldom-used Aprylle Tagsip took advantage of the playing time given by head coach Jerry Yee to contribute to Adamson University’s cause in a crucial match in the team’s Final Four drive.
The middle blocker provided the spark off the bench to help the Lady Falcons weather University of the East’s fightback and get back on the winning track in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
With Rizza Cruz and Lorene Toring kind of out-of-synch at the frontline, Yee fielded Tagsip to fill their spot in a relief role and she did not disappoint.
Tagsip held the line to power the Lady Falcons to a 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 27-25, victory over the upset-conscious Lady Warriors yesterday to improve to an 8-3 win-loss record.
She finished with seven points in three sets of play, coming in only in the second frame.
“Aprylle can provide block and spike. And if she wants to, she can play setter. But I don’t want that and she knows it,” Yee quipped.
“I’m happy we have a reliable backup for our middles. That we are three-man, four-man deep in the middle,” the mentor added.
The Lady Falcon played a crucial role in the fourth set putting Adamson on top 24-23 after UE held a one-point lead. Her presence at the front of the net gave the Lady Falcons stability in crunch time to turn back the Lady Warriors
Tagsip was grateful for Yee’s trust and just tried her best to repay her mentor’s faith in her.
“We trust our first six but they also commit mistakes. So, our mindset is to always be ready and if given a chance, always grab it,” Tagsip said. “It’s not every day we get a chance to play. So, we try to give our all no matter how little that chance is.”
Adamson’s consistency and character will be tested on Wednesday in a showdown against De La Salle University.
Tagsip is confident the Lady Falcons have what it takes to pull off a surprise.
“Skills-wise, I don’t think there’s much of a difference. We just need to have a good attitude. We have to be positive always and if we make mistakes, just move on and try to bounce back,” she said.