UST women's volleyball team head coach Kungfu Reyes. UAAP Media

MANILA – University of Santo Tomas (UST) has finally a chance to reclaim volleyball glory in the UAAP, and at the helm of that campaign is Coach Kungfu Reyes, who is mentoring the finals-bound Golden Tigresses.

But their journey wasn't all flowers as the España-based spikers are only returning to the championship match since Season 81 — when the team still had star spikers Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina in their lineup.

They have entered the Final Four in back-to-back campaigns in Seasons 84 and 85, but even a podium finish wasn't on the bag as the Laure-led squad were downed by the Ateneo Blue Eagles and La Salle Lady Spikers.

Those setbacks fueled Reyes — which served as a springboard as they return to the final round this year after their triumph versus defending champion La Salle.

READ: Poyos takes charge as UST ousts La Salle, returns to UAAP women’s volleyball Finals

"Actually, mas pinagtitibay ako ng panahon. Minsan, umaabot kami ng finals, iilan lang ang piyesa namin, may mga gano'n eh. Pero again, 'di naman kami natatapos do'n. So ang natutunan ko lang sa sarili ko pa, kung nag-aaral ba o naglalaro ako, talagang 'di ako tumitigil," Reyes told ABS-CBN News during the practice of Premier Volleyball League (PVL) club Chery Tiggo, which he also supervises, in San Juan.

"'Yung mga upset na talo, part lang 'to ng buhay. 'Di naman araw-araw talo, 'di ka naman araw-araw panalo, so kailangan lang marunong ka magbalanse. Ang importante, 'di ka titigil kung ano 'yung mission mo, 'yung vision mo sa mga bata," he went on.

"In time, darating naman 'yung panalo eh."

READ: Coach Shaq, who led UST to 2010 crown, bares keys to victory in Finals

READ: For Eya Laure, UST's run to the finals comes as no surprise

Reyes asserted that reaching the Finals is not the standard; instead, growing and learning from mistakes are keys to improvement as a team seeks breakthrough.

"Kasi kung ang baseline lang lagi natin is finals, championship, baka maraming coaches o player na hindi maglalaro, o titigil na lang kasi kung titingnan mo, eh madami kaming teams. Dalawa lang ang nasa finals. Iisa lang mananalo. So tuloy lang ang buhay," said Reyes.

Reyes, fired up with optimism, said victories will eventually come along — but in aid of hard work and resilient character.

"'Yun ang isa talaga sa akin na natututunan ko from time to time, everyday, hanggang sa ngayon na 'wag tumigil. 'Yung panalo naman [will] take care of itself. Lalabas at lalabas din 'yan."

"Kung titigil ka, du'n ka talo. Kailangan lang meron kang natututunan," Reyes concluded.

UST will face National University on Saturday, May 11, to kickstart their best-of-three series at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

READ: 'Thank you sa mga bashers': Pepito, UST answer all doubts en route to the Finals

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