The Letran Lady Knights are back in the finals, sealing their spot in the championship round of the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a Game 3 win over the San Beda Lady Red Spikers over the weekend. That the team will have a chance for a golden finish is, according to LJ Isar, in part due to the Lady Knights emphasizing mental preparation late in the season.
As Letran piled up win after win, it was increasingly apparent that the two-time runners-up could finish the eliminations with an unbeaten record. And after beating the Arellano Lady Chiefs for their 12th straight win at that time, LJ Isar told Rebanse postmatch that the Letran coaching staff had been working to improve the Lady Knights’ mental aspect—especially as the season wound down and the matches mounted.
“Nag-i–start kase kami sa ensayo ng medyo late tapos pinapractice na lang din namin yung [mga] kulang namin. Hindi rin kami masyadong binubugbog ng mga coaches namin,” Isar said in an exclusive interview with Rebanse. “Pero hinahanda lang din namin yung mental mindset namin,” LJ added.
Mental Preps Work Wonders for LJ Isar, Lady Knights
Working on the mental side of things has proven to be a difference-maker. With pressure mounting in what is turning out to be a fantastic season, Isar and the Lady Knights have shown the kind of mental toughness champions are made of, time and again rising to the occasion—as they did against Arellano in that five-set thriller.
After turning back that stiff challenge from the Lady Chiefs, Isar told Rebanse they were looking forward to a strong end to the eliminations and to showing out in the postseason. They did both, finishing the elims at 13-0 and then winning their first two matches in the playoffs.
But with the finals in sight, Isar and the Lady Knights finally tasted defeat in Game 2 of their semis showdown with San Beda. With adversity setting in, Letran showed mental fortitude, rising back up in Game 3 to seal a finals return.
Needless to say, all that mental preparation helped on the biggest of stages. ANd now, LJ Isar and the Lady Knights are staring at a potential title to punctuate what has been a briliant season.
