University of Santo Tomas head coach Kungfu Reyes has been around volleyball long enough to know that even in the face of a heartbreaking finals defeat to the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, he can always look on the bright side and remain optimistic.

For one, his Golden Tigresses soldiered on despite facing numerous trials and challenges throughout the year and ended up picking valuable lessons along the way – something that the veteran mentor will always be thankful for and proud of.

“Proud kami dito sa mga bagets na ‘to na lumaban hanggang sa dulo, ganun medyo kinapos lang pero marami kaming takeaways this time,” Reyes stressed on Wednesday evening, May 15.

“Maraming lesson na nakuha especially this season, regardless matangkad ka or maliit ka. Ang importante kung gaano katapang ang puso mo at gaano ka kadecisive may [magandang] resulta na mangyayari,” he added.

The Golden Tigresses lost to the Lady Bulldogs  25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16 in Game 2 of the Finals, putting an end to their promising season that saw them finish the elimination with 12-2 card before ousting De La Salle Lady Spikers in the semifinals where UST held a twice-to-beat advantage.

However, as if fate was playing on UST, ace spiker and Rookie of the Year awardee Angge Poyos sustained a right ankle injury in Game 1 – a deja vu of sorts for the Golden Tigresses when former star Eya Laure suffered similar misfortune when she got injured during their Finals loss to Ateneo back Season 81.

“Gusto ko na kaagad bumawi [and] iniisip ko na next year sa amin naman ‘yung gold medal,” said the 20-year-old Poyos who saw limited action in Game 2 due to the injury.

Reyes also only hope to have a complete and healthy lineup the next time they set foot to the UAAP finals stage.

“Hopefully, next time na papasok kami ng finals sana injury free kami ‘yon isa sa pinagdarasal namin, nalagpasan kasi namin ‘yong semifinals na meron kaming may sakit and this time na nalagpasan namin ‘yon,” Reyes continued.

“So next na tatrabahuhin namin is wala nang ma-injury samin, especially sa finals,” he added.