Kyla Cordora (right) is slowly finding her attacking groove.—UAAP MEDIA
Kyla Cordora was being groomed to be the much-needed pinch-hitter for University of Santo Tomas when two of its reliable gunners went down just weeks before the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
That was until a left ankle injury in just the second game of the Golden Tigresses derailed coach KungFu Reyes’ preparations and had the promising spiker struggling to get her groove back just when the team needed her.
“I still struggled at first. Even when I played again versus [National University] in the first round, [my injury] still hurt,” Cordora told the Inquirer in Filipino. “I felt sorry that I was not be able to perform.
READ: Tigresses to take care of business before getting break for the spirit
“But now, I am happy that at least I am somehow able to make up for all the games I missed,” she added after making the best out of her longest playing time to help Santo Tomas to an easy yet important win over University of the East last weekend.
The rookie scored eight points off attacks, had seven digs and six excellent receptions in her worthiest outing yet, as she doubled her offensive production in two games before getting injured.
Among the new hitters brought in to fill the void left by Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, Cordora missed four games after UST’s first victory of the season before making her return in the Tigresses’ Finals rematch against the Lady Bulldogs at the end of round one.
Cordora showed promise in preseason tournaments, even sharing a lot of playing time with Angge Poyos. But that injury was bigger mentally for her.
“I trust in the game plan of the coaches and there really are times that I am still not confident and still struggling in training and the coaches see that,” Cordora said.
More than external pressure, she admitted to having herself as her biggest enemy.
Happy but unsatisfied
“I am happy but not satisfied with my performance. Satisfied with my defense but I am putting a lot of pressure on myself in my attacking,” Cordora said. “I don’t know, I feel nervous going for a kill. But what’s important is that even when I don’t have my offense going, I still have my defense.”
Santo Tomas sits at No. 3 with a respectable 8-4 (win-loss) record. The Tigresses are still among the teams in the hunt for the second twice-to-beat protection, with the Bulldogs practically owning the No. 1 ranking.
Santo Tomas, La Salle, Far Eastern and University of the Philippines are still scrambling for the last three Final Four slots when the tournament resumes after the Holy Week break.
The Tigresses’ chances for the last available twice-to-beat card got better after major upsets absorbed by the Lady Tamaraws and Lady Spikers over the weekend.
When they get back, what lies ahead are crucial games that won’t be easy with the Fighting Maroons and Lady Bulldogs waiting. But the good thing is that all of the Tigresses are ready to pounce when given the chance.
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“If ever I will be fielded, I need to deliver and give a better performance since [my past games] are not yet my top performances,” Cordora said. INQ
