With the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament just a week away, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles still participated in most of the Premier Volleyball League All-Star events.
Well, except the All-Star Game itself.
Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro confirmed that it was the Ateneo administration’s decision to not allow the six All-Star Lady Eagles to play in the All-Star match.
Still, Bea De Leon, Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, Dani Ravena, and Vanie Gandler took part in the meet-and-greet and other events set-up for the fans for the benefit of the Hero Foundation.
“It’s an admin decision. Of course, ayaw naman sana natin na ‘di makalaro. Pero UAAP na next week,” admitted Almadro, adding that had his players played in the game, he would have wanted to them to play their best.
“Ayaw din namin ipaisip sa players na petiks lang kasi All-Star. No eh. This is PVL All-Stars, kailangan quality. Hirap naman sabihin na laro kayo pero kaunti lang ‘yung ibigay niyo. Hindi namin tinuturo sa players.
“Nandoon na rin ‘yung safety. Sinabi namin na they will be part of this All-Star in the meet-and-greet, parlor games, and everything else. We are really supporting the cause of PVL and ABS-CBN. It just so happened na UAAP na. If this happened noong December, ibang usapan. That’s why we’re very sorry,” expressed Almadro, himself a loyal soldier to the V-League.
Almadro also went over why Maddie Madayag was not present during the event at all.
“Maddie kasi may thesis siya. Matagal nang may naka-set na appointment for today. Graduating, mahirap eh. Experience namin in Ateneo na kahit last year mo na, kapag may nakaligtaan kang gawin, talagang hindi ka pagbibigyan eh,” the first-year Lady Eagles head coach disclosed.
“Maddie really wants to graduate on time na maayos ‘yung grade. I know naman the PVL will understand. The other players din really wanted to support this cause kaya nandito sila.”
