Macandili determined to make life easier for La Salle's new setter Cobb

MANILA, Philippines – In her final playing year for De La Salle University, libero Dawn Macandili is taking on a greater responsibility for the defending women's volleyball champions.

In the past couple of years, Macandili established herself as the country's best libero, and even earned recognition at the continental level when she was named Second Best Libero at the 2017 Asian Women's Volleyball Championships.

In UAAP Season 80, Macandili is receiving a challenge from University of the East's (UE) Kath Arado when it comes to being the best libero in the league. "Miss Everywhere" remains a truly phenomenal defensive player, as she is second in the league in digging, with 6.62 digs per set, and third in receiving with an efficiency rate of 47.30%.

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Arado, however, is no slouch. The UE standout leads the league in digs (6.75 per set) and is second in receiving (50.67%). She is the greatest reason the Lady Warriors have remained competitive in the women's volleyball tournament.

At this stage in her career, however, Macandili is unconcerned about comparing herself to her fellow liberos. More than anything, the La Salle veteran simply wants to do her job for the Lady Spikers. Specifically, she wants to make life easier for their new starting setter, Michelle Cobb.

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"Most of the first balls will be coming from me, so responsibility and duty ko 'yun as a player inside the court na maitaas 'yung bola sa setter, para maka-atake ng maayos," Macandili said Wednesday, after registering 34 digs and 13 receptions in a five-set marathon against Far Eastern University.

In the past couple of season, Macandili was sending first balls to setter Kim Fajardo, their beloved team captain who led the Lady Spikers to back-to-back UAAP championships. However, Fajardo was also a tremendous talent who could still come up with good sets even when the Lady Spikers botched their reception.

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Macandili knows very well that they do not have this luxury in Season 80, with Cobb still adjusting to her new role as a starter following Fajardo's graduation. The second year player is doing a solid job, and is even leading the league in setting with 9.08 excellent sets per set.

Her veteran teammate wants to make sure that her solid performances will continue.

"Bago pa 'yung setter namin," said Macandili. "Siyempre, naga-adjust pa siya. Kailangan, ako 'yung maging consistent para ma-feel niya 'yung bola, makuha niya 'yung momentum and confidence niya as a setter."

The adjustment period has not been easy. La Salle is unbeaten in UAAP Season 80, with a 3-0 record. However, two of those matches were exhausting five-set battles.

Macandili, now a veteran of 5 UAAP seasons and a two-time champion, knows she cannot show any frustration at this point.

"Recently, na-adapt ko 'yung mantra na pahabain ko 'yung pasensya ko," she revealed.

Macandili is going to need every bit of that newfound patience on Sunday, when they take on National University in a battle for the solo lead.

The Lady Bulldogs have been every bit as impressive as the Lady Spikers, and Jaja Santiago is looking like an MVP candidate. The towering middle blocker should give Macandili a tough challenge, as Santiago connects on 45.37% of her spikes – the best mark in the UAAP. NU, as a team, has a league-leading 32.28% success rate on attacks.

"Challenge 'yun every time na may makakalaban ka na powerful and highly-respected player like Jaja," Macandili said. "Challenge 'yun for me na madepensahan siya, and maka-receive against her and them."

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