When Ateneo de Manila University needs some points, there’s no one else that comes to mind except Faith Nisperos.
And she delivered anew for the Blue Eagles in the all-important Game One of the 2022 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge against Adamson University in a nail-biter, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 24-26, 18-16.
The 5-foot-11 outside hitter and undisputed leader of Ateneo punched in 35 points on 33 attacks to match her career-best. She also made eight of the team’s 18 points in the deciding set.
The first time she reached 35 was also a big game in a tournament organized by Sports Vision. There, she dropped those points against College of St. Benilde in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference battle for third.
The Blue Eagles, riding the hot hands of Nisperos, also emerged victorious there.
She is a big-time scorer but during big games? She’s on another level.
“Being in the championship is really different eh. It shows na labanan na ng magagaling. ASnd it’s a test of character kung sino yung may mas gusto manalo, may mas gustong mapatunayan sa sarili namin,” said the UAAP Season 84 2nd Best Outside Hitter.
“Leadership. I wanna lead by example,” Nisperos continued, referring to her takeover mode in the fifth frame.
Ateneo also got big games from Vanie Gandler (20 points on 14 attacks, four aces, two blocks); AC Miner (18 points); and Lyann De Guzman (10 points and 16 excellent receptions).
Miner put the Blue Eagles at match point on a quick kill. Then De Guzman finished the game with a service ace.
“Kung anong nakikita nila, gusto ko ma-inspire sila na si Ate Faith lumalaban, dapat kami rin lumalaban,” shared Nisperos.
“Hindi man ako as vocal as I can be, hindi man ako ganon ka expressive. But through my actions, sana doon nila makita na I’m a fighter,” added the Nazareth School of National University product.
“Yun ang gusto kong ipakita especially ‘pag dikdikan, gusto ko ako yung pupuntahan.”
The Blue Eagles will look to clinch the championship on Wednesday, 5:00 PM, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
