Jersey numbers become iconic quickly, especially if one plays for a team with as much fanfare as the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.
Players don’t often change their numbers, but Lady Eagles Maddie Madayag and Jhoana Maraguinot found the perfect time to return to digits with sentimental value.
Ateneo captain Madayag wore the number 17 through her first three years in Ateneo, but always wanted to wear 7 since her birthday is on February 7. However, 7 had been taken by veteran libero Gizelle Tan, who graduated last season.
“My birthday kasi is on Feb 7. But then Gy (Tan) kasi before had 7 so I couldn’t take it,” said the Davao-native.
Veteran open hitter Maraguinot, on the other hand, had always taken 13 as her number since she began playing organized volleyball.
Though no one has worn 13 for Ateneo since legendary libero Denden Lazaro in Season 77, Maraguinot thought Season 80 would be a great time to shift from 15 to her childhood digits.
“Ito talaga kasi ‘yung number ko (13) ever since I started playing ngayon lang ulet ako nagka-chance gamitin,” shared Maraguinot.
Though their number shifts were not as emotionally-loaded as that of Calvin Abueva’s, the pair did give their fans a chance to collect more Ateneo “shirseys”.
