Regine Diego keeps NU system familiar, says ‘best yet to come’

Regine Diego believes the best is yet to come after National University opened its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a hard-fought victory over University of Santo Tomas on Sunday night.

The Lady Bulldogs leaned on rookie Sam Cantanda’s late fourth-set heroics to fend off the Golden Tigresses, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, in front of 15,215 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

NU had a chance to close out the match in straight sets but faltered down the stretch, allowing UST to mount a spirited third-set stand and force a fourth frame.

“Well, truthfully, I don’t think any team is playing their best for today,” said the former Lady Bullpups head coach, who replaced Sherwin Meneses before the start of the season.

“It’s going to be a very long journey, and it’s going to be an experience for everyone. I don’t think this is our best yet, marami pa kaming pwedeng ayusin at perfectin.”

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Despite a few lapses here and there, Diego said the Lady Bulldogs still performed well, even after committing more unforced errors, 26-23, than the Golden Tigresses.

“But, for sure, we are going to do our best. To be better every game. Dun sa review… I think for today, we played well, but we can do better. Mga 8 [out of 10]. Still, a win is a win, and we’re very grateful,” added the former F2 Logistics coach.

Diego also emphasized that her system is largely player-oriented, designed to maximize the strengths of a roster she believes is already brimming with talent.

With the core of the squad seasoned and skilled, the first-year mentor said her role is to put the players in positions where they can thrive, tailoring schemes around what the team does best as they pursue a third straight UAAP title.

“Well, I’ve been making this team about them, so our system is not dependent on me. But I’m trying to make it, I want to make them decide what they want, what they’re comfortable with [what] they’re very good at,” she said.

“So the system is their system na nililinis lang namin. I’m not trying to make a really different change na nakakagulat na malalaki. We’re just trying to linis what they know already because everybody’s skillful na,” Diego continued.

“So tuloy-tuloy na, lahat ng matututunan nila sa lahat ng coaches. We’re trying to get the best practices, best things, so that we can still defend the championship.”

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