Far Eastern University-DN Steel may have convincingly defeated Hyogo in their 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals match, but head coach Eddieson Orcullo believes his team has much to learn from the Japanese guest squad.
The Ultras' 25-17, 25-13, 25-18 straight-set loss to the FEU-DN Steel on Sunday was marked by a relentless energy and unfiltered passion from Hyogo's young players. Despite the one-sided scoreline, the guest team, composed of university players from the Hyogo prefecture, never held back their emotions, celebrating each point as though it were a game-changer.
For Orcullo, this raw enthusiasm is something his players could greatly benefit from adopting. He was particularly impressed with the way Hyogo maintained their fighting spirit throughout the match, never allowing the score to dampen their resolve.
“Kailangan makuha namin ‘yung attitude ng Japan na hanggang huli lumalaban sila, wala silang pakialam kung anong score, kung ilan lamang mo, kung ilang set ang nakuha mo. The moment na mag-enjoy sila sa court, makita mo makakuha sila ng isang puntos grabe umikot sa court eh,” Orcullo remarked, emphasizing the value of staying competitive regardless of the scoreboard.
He continued, “Feeling ko ‘yun ang dapat na — well lagi ko nga sinasabi hindi naman masama manggaya eh pero dapat ‘yung gagayahin mo ‘yung maganda para mas maging maganda ‘yung kalabasan ng pinaggagayahan mo,” pointing out that it’s not about copying everything, but focusing on the good qualities that could enhance his team’s performance.
The victory over Hyogo marked a crucial moment for the FEU-DN Steel squad, securing their place in the round-robin semifinals with a 1-2 record. The Ultras' defeat, however, wasn't without merit, as it showcased the promise of their young, disciplined team, which had earned a spot in the Spikers' Turf after dominating the V-League Collegiate Challenge.
Hyogo's discipline was evident not only in their unyielding effort on the court but also in their impeccable organization off it. Their dugout remained pristine, and even during intense moments, the team's structure never faltered, something Orcullo was quick to notice.
“They’re so disciplined,” Orcullo acknowledged, expressing his admiration for the Japanese team's three unforced errors in the opening set. “Gusto ko makuha ‘yun — that level of discipline and focus.” He hopes FEU-DN Steel can adopt similar attributes moving forward in the competition.
Despite the loss, Hyogo's spirited play has left a lasting impact on the FEU-DN Steel players, who are now setting their sights on improving their own emotional investment and court organization. With their semifinals campaign winding down, FEU-DN Steel will face Savouge on Friday, while Hyogo will take on Cignal and Criss Cross in their final games of the round-robin stage.
Orcullo remains optimistic, knowing that his team’s own discipline and emotional energy will only grow as they continue to learn from every match.
“Dapat makuha rin namin ‘yung attitude ng player ng Japanese, magaganda,” Orcullo summed up, reinforcing that the path to success lies in both embracing the joy of the game and applying the right mindset.
