Rookie setter Eshana Nunag showed the way for DLSU’s offense in their opening day sweep against FEU.
Eshana Nunag sure made a strong first impression in her UAAP Women’s Volleyball debut with the DLSU Lady Spikers.
Thrust into the starting six as a rookie, Nunag showed poise and maturity in DLSU’s UAAP Season 88 opener against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The rookie playmaker tossed up 12 excellent sets in DLSU’s commanding 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 sweep against the Lady Tams, setting up an offense led by captain Shevana Laput with 22 points, and former Rookie of the Year-MVP Angel Canino with 15 markers.
Though her debut was nothing short of impressive, Nunag quickly deflected credit to her veterans, whose vocal leadership and positivity allowed her to overcome rookie jitters on opening day.
“Syempre po freshman po ako tapos first six na kagad, pero with the help of my ates, tiwalang tiwala po ako na hindi nila ako ipapahamak. Gagawin nila lahat for me and for the team, kaya no problems po. Naa-assure po ako palagi sa loob kahit na magkamali,” she said post-game.
“During the game po, very vocal po sila. Despite po sa mga errors and imperfections ko sa loob ng court, lagi din po silang nandyan to assure na may papatay po, and as someone in a non-scoring position, dun ko nakukuha ‘yung kumpiyansa ko.”
Also important to Nunag’s strong start is the Lady Spikers’ culture, one where positivity is a key part of team dynamics.
“Talagang inaassurelang namin siya na as spikers, responsibilidad talaga namin na mag-adjust sa kahit anong sitwasyon. Lahat ng ginagawa nya, hindi kailangan perfect,” Canino said when asked about the veterans’ guidance toward Nunag.
“Pangit man o maganda, sinasabihan namin siya na OK‘yung ginagawa niya. Kasi inside the court talaga, lalo na si Shevana, kapag positive ka, ‘yung upbringing mo positive lahat, talagang mau-up ‘yung tao kahit nasa lowest sya in the present.”
No less than longtime deputy Noel Orcullo was impressed with Eshana Nunag’s debut, especially after tempering his expectations for the rookie playmaker.
“Kala namin kakalog siya eh. Pero hindi naman, so at least nakapasa siya sa unang test nya. Hopefully magtuloy tuloy, and ‘yung kumpyansya na, mabuo nang husto going into the league, pa-second round, until the end na buong-buo na ‘yung kumpyansya nya.”
As UAAP Season 88 moves forward, will Eshana Nunag be the playmaker that can help DLSU reclaim lost glory?
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.
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Eshana Nunag tossed up 12 excellent sets in her UAAP debut, helping DLSU sweep FEU 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 in the Season 88 opener, setting up an offense led by Shevana Laput’s 22 points and Angel Canino’s 15 points.
Captain Shevana Laput led DLSU with 22 points, followed by Angel Canino with 15 points, in the team’s straight-sets sweep of FEU to open UAAP Season 88.
Nunag credited veterans like Angel Canino and Shevana Laput for their vocal encouragement and positivity throughout the game, saying their reassurance helped her overcome rookie jitters despite starting in the lineup as a freshman.
Noel Orcullo said he had tempered expectations for Nunag but was impressed that she passed her first major test, expressing hope her confidence continues building as the season progresses.
DLSU opened UAAP Season 88 against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, sweeping the match 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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