The Mapua Lady Cardinals will get a golden opportunity to shock the San Beda Lady Red Spikers later today, as another win will send the former to the semis of the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament despite facing a twice-to-win disadvantage.
Mapua earned this chance after defeating San Beda in their first quarters meeting on March 17, which the Lady Cardinals won in straight sets as they neutralized the Lady Red Spikers’ offense.
But how did Mapua extend this matchup to a decider, even after losing to San Beda in the eliminations?
According to Diandrah Yabut, the secret is in the mindset: The Lady Cardinals are treating their quarterfinal matches like any other training day.
“Ang nasa isip lang namin, para lang ‘tong araw-araw na ginagawa namin sa training. Ipe-perform lang namin kung ano ‘yung dapat na i-perform namin individually,” Yabut told Rebanse in an exclusive interview.
Diandrah Yabut, Lady Cardinals Unfazed by Twice-to-Win Disadvantage
In the elimination round, Mapua lost to San Beda in four sets. But it didn’t faze the Lady Cardinals—not even with the Lady Red Spikers holding a win-once edge.
“Hindi din namin iisipin na twice to beat yung kalaban, kasi nakalaban na namin sila ilang beses na. Gusto lang namin bumawi sa kanila,” Yabut said.
The 21-year-old, who has become a key rotational player, and is even sometimes a part of the starting lineup, has been integral in Mapua’s defense in the middle. And she is determined to push Mapua to greater heights by bringing her “swag” against San Beda.
“Siguro yung angas ko,” Yabut said with a smile when asked about what she brings to the table against San Beda. “’Yung attitude ko as a player na kailangan ‘yung attitude mo madala kasama ‘yung mga teammate mo para hindi sila panghinaan ng loob. Para makita nila na lumalaban ka din, hindi lang sila.”
All for Their Graduating Seniors
With their backs against the wall for the second time this season, the second-year player for Mapua said she and her teammates will do their best for their seniors.
“Same lang ‘yung igagalaw namin. Mas i-improve pa namin, mas i-less pa namin ‘yung error namin, and hindi na namin iisipin na twice to beat sila. Gusto talaga namin bigyan ng magandang exit yung mga seniors namin,” Yabut further said.
Diandrah Yabut and the Lady Cardinals will go for the upset again later this Friday, March 20, at 2:30 p.m. in Biñan, Laguna.
