As the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles prepare for their final game in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, team captain Lyann de Guzman remains uncertain about her future with the team as she approaches her final year of eligibility.
De Guzman’s decision to stay with Ateneo for Season 88 or turn professional goes beyond the mere fact that she has one more year left.
It’s a choice deeply tied to the string of heartbreaking “what ifs” that have haunted the Blue Eagles throughout the season.
“Actually, may isa pa talaga. Sobrang daming ‘what ifs’ talaga ngayong season na ito,” De Guzman told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview after Ateneo’s loss to the National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, April 13, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
What was supposed to be a promising comeback campaign for the Blue Eagles in Season 87 quickly unraveled just days before the tournament even began.
On February 14, Jlo delos Santos suffered a torn ACL in her left knee during the team’s final scrimmage ahead of their opener against the Adamson Lady Falcons. Just a day later, tragedy struck again as Zel Tsunashima fractured her left shin (both tibia and fibula) during Ateneo’s first game of the season on February 15.
The injury bug didn’t stop there. On March 9, Sobe Buena also tore her right ACL in a freak accident during a straight-sets loss to University of Santo Tomas.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sabi ko nga ngayong season pala na feel ko talaga samin itong season na ito kasi sobrang buo kami. Sobrang buo talaga. But sobrang daming what-ifs. Kaya napapaisip ulit na maglaro ulit for Ateneo if ever. Pero let’s see, not yet decided ulit,” said De Guzman, reflecting on how close-knit the team had become despite the setbacks.
“Nangyari lang yung mga nangyari, hindi talaga in-expect. Kasi really, sobrang ganda talaga yung naging program namin sa weight [at] sa training. Nagkakaroon kami ng maayos na rest. Feel ko talaga, accident lang yung lahat. Pero itong nangyari ngayong season, opportunity ito sa mga iba na makalaro, especially yung mga rookies namin. And nakita ko ‘yon na nag-step up naman lahat. So I’m really proud of my team ngayong season,” she added.
With the Blue Eagles’ final Season 87 match looming — a second-round clash against the still-winless University of the East Lady Warriors on Saturday, April 26, at the Big Dome — De Guzman promises to give it her all, knowing full well that it could be her swan song in blue and white.
This mindset is nothing new for the former FEU-Diliman standout. Throughout Season 87, De Guzman played like each match could be her last, carrying the weight of a young Ateneo squad on her shoulders.
In her breakout year, De Guzman finished ninth among the league’s Best Scorers with 174 points, built from 160 attacks, 10 service aces, and four blocks. She did all this while leading a rookie-laden roster that featured Bacolod Tay Tung standouts Alex Montoro and Jihan Chuatico, and NUNS Lady Bullpup product Robi Silla.
“Actually, ngayong season naman, kada game naman, ang goal ko talaga na mabigay talaga yung 110%. Kasi yun nga, hindi ko naman alam kung yun na ba talaga last call. Sabi ko nga ngayong season na to, yung lahat ng games ko do or die yan. Kasi nga last year na if ever. Yun nga, bigyan lang talaga yung 110% para no regrets sa dulo if ever,” she shared.
“And masasabi ko talaga na hindi nawala yung fighting spirit namin na lumaban kami kahit sino pang team na yan. Kahit nasa top one pa yan, lalaban pa rin kami.”
