National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin said that setter Joshua Retamar will be up and ready once the 2022 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge quarterfinals begins this coming Sunday.
Retamar sprained his left ankle during the Bulldogs’ match against North Cotabato in the 2022 PNVF Champions league last Tuesday which forced the NU skipper to sit out the team’s straight sets win over De La Salle University in the V-League yesterday.
“Si Owwa (Retamar) pinapahinga na lang namin, anytime naman sabi nung conditioning coach namin pwede nang isabak pero ‘di muna namin isusugal,” said Alinsunurin.
“Pero sure naman na makakalaro siya sa quarterfinals.”
With Retamar sidelined, for the time being, Alinsunurin leaned on Joseph Bello and Clarenz Belostrino to handle the playmaking chores for the Bulldogs.
Bello tallied 11 excellent sets en route to his first Player of the Game award while Belostrino gave quality minutes in the 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 sweep of the Green Spikers at the Paco Arena.
Alinsunurin made sure to tip his hat to both setters for filling in the huge hole left by Retamar.
“Sobrang maganda yung pinakita nilang performance, laking tulong pa rin sakin yung dalawa kasi nga wala si Owwa. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, isa lang naman ang mawawala sa loob ng court, may sistema pa rin tayo, yun pa rin ang gagawin natin.” said Alinsunurin.
“Buti rin talaga nag-deliver yung dalawang setter ko.”
