There’s a case to be made for their contemporaries, but the Ateneo de Manila University’s Maddie Madayag and Bea De Leon are two of collegiate volleyball’s top middle blockers.
Madayag has been a consistent force in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, averaging 11.7 points per match while leading the league in blocks per set.
On the other hand, De Leon has snapped out of a cold first few matches, tallying 14 and 13 points in Ateneo’s past two outings.
The two graduating Lady Eagles also serve as the Lady Eagles’ emotional buoy on the court. With the league finally shifting to an FIVB style of awarding, there’s a good chance Madayag will receive one of the Best Middle Blocker spots. De Leon could also catch up.
“I don’t really think about that,” said Madayag. “I just focus on what I can do for my team, focus on what I can contribute.
“I just try to do lahat ng what is asked from a middle blocker.”
For her part, De Leon credits her teammates for her recent surge.
“Every single time the ball goes up, ‘yung mindset mo talaga is every time, hindi naman kailangan patay agad eh. Patience rin na paunti-untihin mo until makakuha ka ng maganda tapos hit, palo,” said De Leon.
“At the end of the day, teamwork talaga, communication talaga on-court and talagang patience.”
The Lady Eagles sit atop the standing to end the first round with a 6-1 card. Both seniors, however, are wary of the second round grind.
“Sabi ni coach (Oliver Almadro) it’s going to be about more on strategies. You’ve played against every team, so alam mo ma ‘yung kilos nila. I guess, marami pa kaming matutunan and marami pa kaming kailangan idagdag sa sarili namin,” Madayag expressed.
“I’m not saying na magaling kami kasi hindi. Magaling lang talaga mag-gel ‘yung team. May connections na kaming lahat.”
“It’s about to get harder, so ang mindset namin ngayon, tapos na ‘yung first round. So now we have to work double time,” added De Leon.
“Kung anuman ang trinabaho namin noong first round, kailangan double talaga because the teams are about to peak, and the teams are going to fight harder kasi tapos na. We’re very, very happy but now pa lang, focus agad sa susunod na gagawin.”
