CYD Demecillo hardly saw action in the 2016 Philippine Super Liga All Filipino Conference.
But when the former outside hitter of the La Salle women’s varsity team came on board in the second set of their title match, things turned around for the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, who went on to win their first PSL title.
Her explosive game in the second set allowed the Cargo Movers to move away from a 10-all deadlock and eventually overpower the Foton Tornadoes, 18-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19.
“We adjusted by using Cyd. I didn’t use her much before. She wasn’t scouted and they weren’t prepared for her,” said F2 coach Ramil de Jesus.
The 5’8” Demecillo scored six crucial points. Her placement shot off a block, followed by two aces, allowed the Cargo Movers to gain a 14-10 edge.
From then on, the Cargo Movers worked to protect the lead they gained.
De Jesus felt that the Tornadoes were playing with so much energy when they took the first set. He made adjustments in the second set when De Jesus felt that the Tornadoes would not able to sustain their intensity.
Demecillo was again around when they neared match point, 24-17, late in the fourth set.
“I prepared myself. I knew I can contribute something to this title win,” said Demecillo after the game.
De Jesus said that it was also his familiarity with how his players play that helped a lot. He knew how they moved back when most of them were still with the La Salle Green Spikers.
“It was the familiarity in our system that pulled us through,” said De Jesus, who has handled La Salle since 1998. He won nine UAAP crowns with the team.
F2 Logistics beat the Tri-Activ Spikers in three sets to reach the best-of-three title showdown with Foton, the reigning Grand Prix winner.
