Jolina keeps confidence high

Graduating veteran Jolina dela Cruz does not mind taking the backseat on offense as long as De La Salle University accomplishes its goal of claiming the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women's volleyball crown.

The winger tallied only six points in the Lady Spikers' hard-fought 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, Game 1 best-of-three finals victory over defending champion National University last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dela Cruz, one of the top candidates for the Most Valuable Player award, has averaged eight points per game in the postseason after registering a norm of 11.07 points per outing during La Salle's impressive elimination round run when it finished with a 13-1 win-loss record – its best slate in nine years.

But the winger insisted that it's not a cause for concern as she is still delivering what is needed of her in other aspects of the game, especially with her leadership role.

"I don't need to compete with anyone in terms of scoring because I know what my strengths are," dela Cruz said.

"Our coaches know what I can do and where I would be of help."

Despite a slight dip in her points production, dela Cruz remains consistent as a vital cog of the Lady Spikers' floor defense.

The 23-year-old hitter had 13 excellent receptions and eight digs in La Salle all-important win in the series opener against the spiking barrage of the Lady Bulldogs led by power-hitting reigning MVP Bella Belen.

As one of the seniors alongside setter Mars Alba, dela Cruz admitted that there is pressure of ending the Lady Spikers' five-year title drought in her last season wearing the green and white.

"Yes, there's pressure but you know you barely feel it with your teammates around to help you," she said.

Dela Cruz gets her confidence from being surrounded by a reliable and hungry crew led by Angel Canino, who is tipped to win Rookie of the Year and also a strong MVP contender, The Gagate, Shevana Laput, Alleiah Malaluan and Fifi Sharma.

"I don't feel the need to carry the team on my own because we are all doing our roles and working as a team," she added.

"If one can't contribute to a certain skill, others will fill that role. You can really feel that each one of us has each other's back."

Dela Cruz and the rest of the Lady Spikers look to close out the series on Sunday to bring to Taft Avenue their 12th title overall.