It hadn’t been the best start for the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, as they had lost back-to-back games to start the 2016 Collegiate Conference.
“Nung start, we were a rebuilding team. Everyone just came back,” recalled middle blocker Bea de Leon. “Mich [Morente], Ana [Gopico] just came back from injuries and problems. We lost Ate Ly [Valdez] and Kiwi [Ahomiro]; so I think it is really just working together and the teamwork inside the court.”
“Magulo kami noon eh. So, we were trying to see first the responsibilities of each player.”
The Lady Eagles eventually found the cure to their misery, surviving a couple of elimination games to boost the morale of the team and arrest the doubt that had started to creep into their minds.
“I think we learned a lot, to believe in ourselves again. Coming from that bad start, we all had our doubts, even other people, not even just us,” the 20-year-old added. “Everyone had their doubts. I think it really taught us to work hard and work as a team all the time. Whatever happens, kami yung hindi dapat mawala.”
Setter Jia Morado put the struggle they faced into perspective.
“Yung alam lang namin every game na mapanalo namin is experience yun,” the playmaker shared.
“Kung matalo kami, ibig sabihin lang nun meron pa kaming mga dapat ayusin. Kung manalo kami, keep up what we have and improve more.”
One thing that is working for the Lady Eagles right now is that they are finally and slowly clicking as a team.
“I guess yung pinaka-okay na madadala namin sa Finals is yung teamwork namin.
“It took us a while to jell, pero ngayong nagjejell naman kami, yung teamwork naman yung kailangan naming dalhin,” the former UAAP Best Setter added.
Now that they are into the Finals, wing spiker, and team captain Mich Morente is elated with the accomplishment.
“We didn’t really expect na papasok talaga kami sa Finals. Sobrang happy kasi lahat ng pinaghirapan namin nagwork eh,” said the key returnee to the Lady Eagles lineup.
As she looks forward to another championship battle against the National University Lady Bulldogs, Morente knows what the Lady Eagles need to do.
“We just have to believe na we can do it. Maniwala kami sa sarili namin mismo na kaya namin,” the 21-year-old remarked.
It has not been an easy road for the return to the last dance, but what made it sweet is that Ateneo gained something very important for a “rebuilding” year.
“Siguro we need to keep our confidence lang. Siyempre nanalo na kami, sana madala pa namin yung confidence namin going into the Finals,” she concluded.
With renewed morale and confidence, expect the Ateneo Lady Eagles to give their “One Big Fight” in another showdown against the NU Lady Bulldogs starting next Monday.
