The Ateneo Lady Eagles’ stirring run in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament continued after it kicked out second-seeded De La Salle University to enter the finals.
Odds are against the Lady Eagles, which ate now pitted against powerhouse and defending champion National University.
The Lady Bulldogs have not lost since the start of Season 77 and have won 30 games in a row. They will also hold a thrice-to-beat advantage in the championship series.
NU also swept Ateneo in their elimination round meetings by an average of 30.5 points. But even then, Ateneo is determined to make it difficult for NU.
“Definitely, the work has just started for us. We are where we are, but we are going to challenge NU,” Ateneo head coach Erika Dy said.
Once a 4-7 team, the Lady Eagles have won six of their last seven games including five straight do-or-die matches. Throughout the important stretch, Dy reminded her team to play for each other.
“That has been our battlecry ever since we had our backs against the wall. Sabi lang namin, play with compassion. Every knockout game, just think of the person beside you, dive for the ball, get the rebound, stick to the game plan, and that’s what did it for us,” she said.
The finals begins on tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.
