Lady Eagles vocal leader Bea De Leon is contemplating whether or not she would return for next season.
After the Ateneo de Manila University were bounced out of the Final Four for the first time since Season 76, the middle blocker told the media that she was still unsure if she will return for her final year of eligibility in the UAAP.
“It’s a possibility, but I don’t want to make any rash decisions,” De Leon told reporters after scoring seven points against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
Having gotten to the Finals in each of her first three playing years, the Season 77 champion was disheartened to leave Season 80 in the semis, but kept a positive outlook.
“Siyempre, we were very sad. It’s a tough loss kasi di ba all or nothing din? But I just kept telling the girls that we have nothing to prove.
“I think we did our best talaga and, at least, in a game like that talagang walang regrets, talagang nilaban namin unlike the past couple of games,” shared the 21-year-old tower.
“We were still grateful but it was still very sad, of course, lots of tears. Generally it’s a very sad occasion for Ateneo today — well, for us. For a lot of them there’s still next time, yun sad lang kami,” she added.
If anything, De Leon thinks the Lady Eagles overachieved, especially looking at how many players they lost from last season.
“Even me, I myself had my own doubts with us not making it into the Final Four. We had a lot of opportunities and we made it. That was the goal this season, the first goal. Of course everybody wants to be a champion but its not for us this year.
“I think we still overdo ourselves. Maybe it’s not the best way to end the season kasi di ba three straight losses? But I’m very proud of what my team has achieved. We’re a far cry from what we started in the the PVL, what people saw from us and me solely being a part of the team and seeing them every day and how we improve, malaki talaga,” she closed.
