After five seasons of steady service for Ateneo de Manila University, team captain Taks Fujimoto is set to take the next leap in her volleyball journey, announcing her intent to join the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft.
Fujimoto confirmed the development in an interview with Tiebreaker Times shortly after the Ateneo Blue Eagles fell to a reverse-sweep loss against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, closing their UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament campaign last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fil-Japanese playmaker, who averaged 1.21 excellent sets despite limited minutes this Season 88, now shifts her focus toward proving herself at the professional level in the PVL, aiming to rebound from Ateneo’s difficult 2–12 finish—its worst record in the Final Four era.
“Siguro mag-try mag-draft and let’s see kung may kukuha. But really focused muna sa finals week namin sa exams since yun nga, I am in my master’s degree and Zel [Tsunashima] is graduating,” Fujimoto said.
“Yon muna ang focus and let’s see kung saan mapunta.”
Across five years with the Blue Eagles, Fujimoto reached the Final Four only once, in her rookie season during Season 84 (2022), where Ateneo secured a bronze-medal finish alongside Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, and AC Miner.
The next four seasons, however, saw the program undergo a major rebuild, with Ateneo finishing a combined 16–40 from Seasons 85 to 88.
Still, despite falling short of another Final Four appearance in her final year, the 25-year-old setter leaves with pride, especially after Ateneo pushed FEU to the limit in their season finale.
The Blue Eagles even went up two sets to none before the Lady Tamaraws mounted a comeback to complete the reverse sweep, keeping their stepladder semifinal hopes alive and forcing a playoff for the No. 4 seed against the University of Santo Tomas.
“I think, especially entering the game kasi, we were just thinking to have fun and play all out since it’s our last game. We’re really grateful kasi napakita talaga namin. Even though hindi kami nanalo, pero from two sets to five sets, lumaban talaga kami until the end,” Fujimoto shared.
“Grateful talaga ako, happy ako sa pinakita naming performance to end the season, and for me, yung UAAP career ko.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other side, opposite spiker Zel Tsunashima now faces a pivotal decision between declaring for the PVL Draft or exhausting her final year of eligibility with Ateneo.
Tsunashima, who missed most of Season 87 due to a broken left shin, returned this Season 88 and finished with 74 points built on 68 attacks, four blocks, and two aces.
“I am still not sure yet, but I am weighing the pros and cons. Before naman [I make a decision], I am gonna make an announcement. I am still really thinking about it,” the 24-year-old opposite spiker said.
Meanwhile, Jlo Delos Santos is set to return for one final run with Ateneo in Season 89, committed to leading a young core that includes KC Cortez, Ana Hermosura, Dona de Leon, and Fiona Arroyo.
After missing the entirety of Season 87 due to a torn left ACL, Delos Santos bounced back in Season 88 with 76 points off 68 attacks, five aces, and three blocks. The Blue Eagles will also move forward without Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso next year.
“I have one more playing year, and I do want to use it because I feel like my time here in Ateneo has been pretty bitin. And I know that there’s still a lot more to learn from the team, my coaches, and I want to represent the Ateneo one more time,” the Sacred Heart–Ateneo de Cebu standout said.
“I’m super grateful that I was able to end this season healthy. As in, that was the first thing that came to my mind. And I’m grateful because even though there were times when it was pretty hard for me considering the comeback, I know that I was able to fight through… Overall, even though our record wasn’t that great, I’m super grateful for the experience, and I’m excited for what the team has to grow in the future.”
