“So, how’s life going to be without Alyssa Valdez?” is a question that’s been asked of the current Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles so much lately that they probably have scripted answers for it.
The concern is valid. Valdez is a once-in-a-lifetime talent; the smiling, smashing luminary that has buoyed Philippine and UAAP volleyball to its current rich state of abundance. She was the UAAP’s MVP for three straight years, its Best Scorer for four, and its icon for forever.
So much attention has been given to Valdez’s graduation that barely anyone mentions that Ateneo had also lost starting middle hitter Kiwi Ahomiro and veteran Mae Tajima.
But volleyball is rarely ever dominated by one player. Volleyball is the epitome of a team sport, where success hinges on a team’s chemistry and balance rather than number of superstars. For this reason, the Lady Eagles are both calm and excited about finally having a chance to shine sans Valdez.
“It’s true naman what people say na you can’t just lose a player like ate Alyssa and expect her contributions to immediately be patched up. On our side naman, we’re not looking at replacing Ate Alyssa’s contributions through just one player, it’s going to be a team effort for us,” said incoming third year blocker Bea De Leon.
The Lady Eagles have added several key players to the lineup.
Versatile winger Michelle Morente is back after a one-year, academic hiatus.
Towering Ana Gopico, Kat Tolentino, Maddie Maddayag are fully recovered from their respective knee injuries, while Ateneo’s Shakey’s V-League stint saw rookie Jules Samonte and incoming sophomore Ponggay Gaston get valuable playing time. Ateneo also retained the other five of their main seven-woman rotation.
What Ateneo lost in star power, they gained in depth and options — things they lacked last season when they fell in the Finals to rivals De La Salle University.
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The Lady Eagles deny that there is a superstar on the team. Even Joana Maraguinot, a revelation last year and the one tagged to be the “Next Alyssa Valdez”, scoffs at any notion that she’s Ateneo’s next savior.
“The team isn’t built that way. I don’t think anyone thinks that way on the team siguro. Everyone has their job on the team and everyone will get their chance to shine. We know na we have to make the most sa ibibigay sa aming time sa court to help the team win,” Maraguinot said.
The Lady Eagles, however, agree that newly-appointed team captain Jia Morado will carry their attack.
A former UAAP Best Setter, Morado has been pulling the strings for the Lady Eagles since she was a rookie. Watching Morado toss is a thing of beauty, always finding ways to deliver the ball to her attackers even off bad touches. If Ateneo started a plant as an open hitter, Morado would find a way for it to photosynthesize 10 points per game.
“Jia is, honestly, amazing,” gushed De Leon. “She knows when and where to get you the ball better than you. Minsan, pati kami nagugulat kapag binibigay sa amin ni Jia ‘yung bola. Kapag nakuha mo, bahala ka na kung paano papatayin.”
On her part, Morado also sees the deeper Ateneo lineup as a major advantage. Although she is the team captain, she trusts her teammates to be leaders in their own right.
“It’s more balanced this year. I think we’re going to have a lot of players shine. There’s opportunity for everyone to step up and I think my teammates are more than of capable,” Morado remarked.
“With Coach Tai din kasi everyone’s expected to be a leader. He wants everyone to contribute and speak up. I don’t see being team captain as being difficult kasi I trust my teammates a lot.”
Perhaps the most telling is the Lady Eagle’s collective exhale. All of them tell of a sudden relief of pressure now that they’re not going for a three-peat and helping Valdez cement her legacy.
“There is less pressure now, we feel. Last year, we felt that there was so much expectation on us to get another championship and we were so afraid to make mistakes. We ended up making more mistakes and pressuring ourselves more,” Maraguinot admitted.
“Last year, there was a lot of talk about Ate Alyssa’s last playing year and us going for a three-peat. I love Ate Alyssa and that’s what you get talaga when you’re playing with such a great player. Pero if you can notice, there’s a lot less eyes on this year, a lot less talk. I think that’s really going to help us relax throughout the season,” added De Leon.
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The Lady Eagles prepared well for life after Valdez. Their additions have made them one of next season’s biggest dark horses, just like in Season 76 when they won the title post Fab Five. They surprised people then, and they’re looking to surprise people now.
