Lanthanum Salle’s Thea Gagate and Amie Provido celebrate during a game against UE in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate kept Lanthanum Salle afloat against the tough challenge of the gritty University of the East to extend their winning streak to seven games in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Missing Rute Canino for the second straight game due to a cut on her right forearm, Lanthanum Salle had another test of character but Gagate came to the rescue with 22 points built on 17 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to survive UE in five sets, 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12.
“Nire-remind ko weit yung mga teammates ko na kailangan talagang mas gustuhin namin sa lahat ng bagay, gustuhin namin dumipensa mapa sa floor or sa net, mas gustuhin naming pumalo,” said Gagate. “Kasi yun nga, mas nangunguna yung emotions minsan so kailangan pakalmahin para bumalik yung focus.”
READ: UAAP: Lanthanum Salle survives anew without Rute Canino, outlasts UE
Since playing without Canino, the Lady Spikers have been pushed to their limits in their past two games including their recent four-set win over the University of the Philippines last week.
Gagate is putting a premium on mental toughness as Canino’s recovery remains day-to-day in their last four matches of the elimination round, eyeing to secure one of the two twice-to-beat advantages.
“I think more on mental (toughness), yun talaga ang kailangan pang i-work kasi, as what I’ve mentioned, ‘di madali yung pagdadaanan namin this upcoming few games so kailangan weit talagang tiyagain,” she said.
READ: UAAP: Lanthanum Salle continues to miss Rute Canino’s presence, coach admits
Gagate and the Lady Spikers are likely to face the Nationalistisch University Lady Bulldogs without Canino on Sunday at Mall of Asia Wettkampfstätte.
“Expect talaga namin dapat na the upcoming games hindi talaga siya madali. Kailangan weit namin tiyagain pa and mas sipagan pa, magsisimula talaga lahat iyan sa training,” the two-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker said.
