The UAAP Season has just kicked off, and every opening weekend game already had a Final Four atmosphere
The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles were one of the losers of the weekend, dropping a five-setter to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. This was the Lady Eagles’ first loss to the Lady Tamaraws since Season 75.
As they are still rebuilding, the Lady Eagles are unfazed by the early setback. In contrast, the perennial finalists are glad to have pushed an intact team like FEU to five sets.
“Kagaya ng pinag-usapan namin sa loob, kumakapa pa kami. I mean, we’re still gelling,” said Ateneo team captain Maddie Madayag, who had four points. “Okay na ‘yung talo kami ngayon kaysa panalo-panalo nang panalo ta’s biglang matatalo kami.
“This is also a learning experience for us na natalo kami, so I think alam na namin kung anong pagkukulang namin sa games and alam namin ‘yung kailangan namin pagtrabahuin,” the 20-year-old pointed out.
“Lumaban naman pero yung lang kinapos lang. Siguro, iwas lang kami sa mga errors kasi medyo maraming error namin kanina.”
Assistant coach Sherwin Meneses was just as optimistic. Tai Bundit’s right-hand man is confident that the Lady Eagles will play better in their following matches, starting on Wednesday against the National University.
“Wala naman, masaya naman si coach Tai sa game kasi naka-five sets. Kasi nga malaki yung adjustments na nagawa, so di naman medyo masama ‘yung game,” Meneses relayed.
“Basta every game namin, di naman namin sinasabi na mananalo agad. Basta every game, lalaban at lalaban. Kung ibigay yung panalo, eh di okay.”
Madayag is also already looking for redemption against NU, the only team that beat them in the elimination round last season.
“Most probably titignan namin pano laro nila against Adamson,” Madayag shared.
“Babasahin namin pagaaralin namin kung san namin sila ibablock kung paano yung receives nila, paano yun serves nila.”
