Watching the University of the East Lady Warriors over the past few years has been a practice of frustration.
But, no matter how bad it got, the Lady Warriors always had one saving grace: Kath Arado.
She doesn’t score points, but UE’s spunky libero has been the most fundamentally sound defensive ace in the league since former Ateneo Lady Eagle Denden Lazaro.
The 19-year-old anticipation, footwork, and speed are impeccable. The rest of the Lady Warriors, however, have been nowhere near impeccable, causing Arado’s heroics to fly under the radar.
But at times, Arado’s teammates do pull their weight and the Lady Warriors manage small miracles.
Against the Adamson Lady Falcons, the 5-foot-5 defensive specialist was again in peak form and towed the Lady Warriors to a win. Her omnipotent presence produced 24 digs and 32 excellent receptions out of 47 attempts.
Arado’s never-say-die defense and ice-in-her-veins serve reception frustrated the Lady Falcons and always kept the Lady Warriors in the game. Eventually, the Lady Falcons scored the points for UE.
The Lady Warriors ended their 13-game losing streak by beating a team that was a fresh off a win against the defending champions.
“Sobrang laking tulong talaga na panalo ngayon na mag-step up pa ng grabe sa next game namin. Na-umpisahan namin sa training, hindi kami makukuntento doon sa nilaro namin kasi may mga lapses pa kami na kailangan i-correct so dapat kailangan makinig kami sa mga coaches namin para yung mga kunting lapses na kailangan i-correct,” said the UE senior, who is the SMART Sports Player of the Day.
“Macocorrect talaga at yun ma-consistent na yung galaw namin sa loob ng court.”
If anything, she was just happy to win for the few who support them every game.
“Sobrang thankful kasi namin para sa mga parents and supporters namin na kahit sunod-sunod na talo, talagang naglalaan sila ng oras para suportahan kami. Para ito sa kanila.”
