No matter how many players come and go, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers always find new talent to maintain their spot atop the UAAP pecking order.
Season 79 has so far been filled with growing pains, as the Lady Spikers have tried to fill the roles of the five veterans who graduated from last season. But the newcomers have been slowly coming along.
One of the fresh faces on the starting lineup, Aduke Ogunsanya, finally broke out for the defending champs when they needed her. The third-year middle blocker tallied 11 points, including five block,s in a straight-set win over the then-undefeated National University Lady Bulldogs. Her performance was made more impressive as she bravely faced the towering Jaja Santiago and nearly equaled her 13 point-output.
Having come off a loss against league-leading University of the Philippines, La Salle were raring to bounce back.
“Kasi we lost the game against UP so nandoon ‘yung kailangan naming bumawi to prove that we’re a strong team and we can beat the other teams pa rin,” said the junior.
The Iloilo native debuted in Season 77 but was not included in the championship-winning Season 78 squad. Thrust immediately into the starting lineup to replace Mika Reyes’ spot, Ogunsanya isn’t pressuring herself as much.
“Although the people around me are pressuring me, ang nasa isip ko na I don’t need to think that it’s a big responsibility.
“I just need to execute everything that I’ve learned sa training and kung ano ‘yung tinuturo sa akin ng ibang tao,” the 20-year-old expressed.
Playing in the UAAP, especially for La Salle, brings immense amounts of attention. Ogunsanya has been a victim of online bullying due to her skin color and curly hair. The Fil-Nigerian chooses to ignore the racist comments and not let the strangers on the internet affect her game.
“I just ignore it kasi I’ve been experiencing it since I was still a child. It’s normal to me naman. The difference is it’s social media and everyone is talking about me but they don’t know me,” reflected Ogunsanya who is a bubbly person, often the leader of the Lady Spikers’ dance routines,” the 5-foot-9 spiker added.
“I don’t let it affect me during games kasi baka ‘yun pa ‘yung maging reason for me na mawala sa laro and mawala sa focus. For me, go with the flow lang.”
The Lady Spikers don’t just win titles by staying stagnant. If La Salle are to win the Season 79 title, they need Ogunsanya to become a consistent contributor.
