The University of the East Lady Warriors have had a decent start to the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament. Despite losing their fist assignment to the National University, 58-62, they bounced back with a 74-57 win over the University of the East.
An important player for UE in both games was fourth-year forward Lovejoy Sto. Domingo. The power forward finished both games with a double-double in points and rebounds, and led all scorers in the UE-UST fixture.
“Pinaghirapan kasi eh. Naging inspirasyon namin yung pagkatalo namin sa NU. Hindi kasi kami nag-enjoy atsaka mas marami silang shoot kaysa sa amin,” reflected Sto. Domingo after UE’s first win of the season.
It has been a long journey for Sto. Domingo in the UAAP. From her rookie days up to now, her personal development has been a case of an upward trajectory.
She explained, “Nag-start ako ng big man na almost wala. Nothing to something ngayon na wingman na ako. Lahat nung mga pinagdaanan namin, lahat ng hirap, dinala ko yun para maging inspirasyon namin bawat game.”
“Kasi ako nag-eenjoy ako sa ginagawa ko eh. Kasi kung hindi ako nag-enjoy, hindi ko magagawa yung performance ko ngayon eh.”
Now that she’s one of the leaders of the current batch of Lady Warriors, Sto. Domingo makes it a point to lead from the front. The Season 76 Rookie of the Year shared, “Naglaro ako para sa mga ulo ng mga teammate ko, ulo ng mga naniniwala sa amin. Kaya kailangan ko maglaro, kailangan makita ng mga team B namin kung ano yung kailangan nilang tularan.”
The fans of the Lady Warriors have been very vocal with their support for the team in their first two games. The fourth-year veteran noted their presence and said that their support is what drives the Lady Warriors. She added, “Kasi kinakasa kami ng coach namin na maniwala kami sa sarili namin kasi marami naniniwala sa amin. Kasi kung hindi kami maniniwala sa sarili, hindi kami mananalo.”
Despite experiencing an early season loss, UE still had a decent start to their Season 79 campaign. However, the long-term target is to reach the Final Four, and to hopefully win the championship itself. For Sto. Domingo, it is in training that the Lady Warriors’ campaign will be determined.
“Ang paraan namin is bawat practice, go hard lahat tapos lahat ng pagkakamali ng play na yun dapat hindi namin madala sa game. Habang nag-drills kami, may kaunting angas ba. Kasi dati wala kami. Tahimik kaming nag-drills. Ngayon may angas na. Parang ang saya lang kasi. Dati wala kaming kaangas-angas, ngayon meron na.”
For the next few games, Sto. Domingo guaranteed three things that the Lady Warriors shall do every game for the UE community. She declared, “Mas-agressive, mas maraming shoot, siyempre, at magandang depensa.”
