Joan Monares wants to be a complete player for University of the Philippines once their stint in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge ends.
That has been the sophomore Fighting Maroon’s goal ever since the team kick-started their preparation for the upcoming UAAP Season 85.
“Siguro consistency lang din sa spiking, service, blockings, being consistent lang sa paglalaro and as much as possible less yung errors,” said Monares after leading UP to a four-set victory over University of Sto. Tomas on Wednesday.
“Kasi the past games, especially dalawa yung nilalaruan naming liga ngayon, kailangan naming mag-adjust lagi. In terms naman sa training, kailangan naming mag-sipag everyday na every time na mag-lalaro kami, kung ano yung pinapakita namin sa training yun yung pinapakita namin sa laro,” she added.
Monares bounced back from a 4-point performance in her V-League debut and scored 15 points off 14 attacks to go along with 12 excellent receptions in the Fighting Maroons’ 28-26, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25 triumph over the Golden Tigresses at the Paco Arena.
“I just play my game. Kasi kung nag-start yung other league, alam ko sa sarili ko at masasabi ko na off yung laro ko doon. So ngayon, binabalik ko lang,” Monares said.
Assistant coach Kirk Beliran said that Monares wasn’t her usual self against the Golden Tigresses which is why he made sure to remind the Bacolod Tay Tung High School product to just play her game and shrug off the pressure.
“SI Joan, may potential siya basta’t ‘wag lang siya mag-doubt sa sarili niya kasi minsan natatakot siya. Ayun, kaya kanina binigyan ko siya ng instruction na ‘wag siyang matakot sa blockers niya kasi kayang kaya niya pumatay,” said Beliran after the game.
“Minsan kasi kino-control niya yung atake niya kaya minsan nageerror talaga siya. Pero may potential talaga.”
