MANILA, Philippines – After winning two games in the past two seasons, can the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors finally put things together this year?

Last season's record: 1-13

What happened in Season 79?

Simply put, Season 79 was another disappointing campaign for UE. The Lady Warriors started the tournament on a very hopeful note, as they took a set off National University in their first game of the season.

That served as one of the season's few highlights for UE. They defeated Adamson University in their final game of the first round – then promptly proceeded to lose the rest of their games, including a sweep at the hands of the Lady Falcons in the second round.

There were some bright spots for UE. Their head coach, Francis Vicente, was the coach of the national women's volleyball team, and three of their players – Roselle Baliton, Kath Arado, and Shaya Adorador – made it to the national team pool.

Unfortunately, the presence of four national team members did not do much to turn the fortunes of the Lady Warriors in Season 79, as they languished at the bottom of the league standings once more.

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Key losses: Angelica Dacaymat, Jasmine Alcayde
Key returnees: Shaya Adorador, Kath Arado, Roselle Baliton

Now what?

UE coach Francis Vicente is determined to lead the Lady Warriors out of the cellar in Season 80, though they started on the wrong foot when Jasmine Alcayde suffered an ACL injury in the offseason. Another veteran in Angelica Dacaymat won't play in Season 80 as well.

Nevertheless, Vicente is optimistic. He has observed "little improvements" in the Lady Warriors' performances, thanks in part to a sports psychologist who helped the team regarding their mindset.

"Pagdating sa preparation, we had several things to do in particular with the mindset of each individual, para totally ma-put behind na nila 'yung nakaraan nila," said Vicente.

This is what Vicente is looking to do, heading into his fourth season with the UE women's volleyball program. Just like in the previous three years, the coach wants the Lady Warriors to leave the past behind and finally move up in the league standings.

"Ang kailangan namin, 'yung ma-overcome namin 'yung nandun kami sa ibaba," he stressed. "I-angat namin ng mga at least dalawang ranks. Basta, kailangan going up lagi. 'Yun 'yung tina-target namin."

This, obviously, is much easier said than done. The Lady Warriors have yet to improve upon their win totals since Vicente took over as head coach, and the lone team that they defeated in Season 79 – Adamson – greatly improved heading into this season.

Vicente is counting on his team's height to offset their opponent's advantages.

"Ang philosophy ko sa coaching is, if you have that height, lalo na kung naturuan ka ng skills na pataas, very intimidating 'yan sa opponent," he explained. "Ngayon, kung meron ka namang smaller type ng player pero magaling, parang si Kath Arado…as a libero, magaling si Kath."

"Para sa akin, asset pa rin 'yung height, kasi later on pag na-train mo sila, very intimidating na 'yan," he added.

What can we expect?

As determined as Vicente is to lead the Lady Warriors out of the UAAP cellar, it is going to be a very difficult task.

He has three players from the national team pool in his roster – Baliton, Adorador, and Arado. Yet of the three, it is only Arado, their libero, who has proven that she is a top-level player at her position. Adorador is a capable open hitter, but she cannot carry the UE offense, and Baliton has yet to become a consistent setter.

Vicente said there are some new faces who will make their UAAP debuts this year, but unless those players can make an immediate impact, it's tough to see how the Lady Warriors can move up the standings this season.

Still, the coach believes it's just a matter of mindset.

"They just need to perform at the highest level," Vicente said. "Ano ba 'yung highest level na 'yun? 'Yun na 'yung pinilit nilang baguhin 'yung pananaw nila sa kalaban nila, 'yung pag nakita nila 'yung kalaban nila, feeling nila talo na sila kaagad."

"Pag na-overcome nila 'ynu, at inisip nilang 'Hindi, kaya namin 'to, gagawin namina lahat, three sets, five sets, basta pipilitin namin manalo dito.' Yun 'yung dapat maging advantage ng isang team, 'yung mindset," he added.

UE opens its UAAP Season 80 campaign on February 4 against University of the Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena.

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