Khy Cepada and Van Bangayan are ready to run it back for University of the East next season after a disappointing campaign in UAAP Season 87.
The Lady Warriors, hit by an exodus of players just a month before the tournament started, struggled throughout the season with only 11 players in the lineup. They ended the season winless, finishing with a 0-14 record.
But Cepada and Bangayan are determined to continue their pursuit of that elusive victory next year, despite the personnel challenges that plagued them this season.
“Wala pa naman po kaming plans na mag-pro so I think po as a student-athlete, madadala namin itong experiences na ito lalo na sa outside world kasi mas marami pong binibigay na pagsubok yung mundo eh,” said Cepada on Saturday after UE’s final game.
The Lady Warriors gave it their all against the Ateneo Blue Eagles but fell short in four sets, 21-25, 25-23, 16-25, 25-27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bangayan tallied 16 points, while Cepada contributed 14 points in the defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Marami po talagang paghihirapan na ibibigay sa atin hindi lang sa volleyball, kundi sa totoong buhay. Saka wala pa po sigurong plano mag-pro this year,” said Bangayan, who is set to graduate with a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing Management.
“Sa susunod na season siguro, ita-try namin i-apply yung lessons saka iwasan yung mga negative na ginawa po namin this season, especially po sa pag-intindi po sa mga mahihirap na sitwasyon. Lasi diyan po talaga kami nate-test, especially sa game kapag down na kami.”
Head coach Allan Mendoza praised his players for their resilience in enduring a winless and challenging season. The fact that the 11 players continued to show up and push through despite the obstacles was impressive to Mendoza.
“Masaya ako para sa mga players ko kasi kung paano nila nilaban itong season na ito is talagang hahanga ka sa dedication nila, lalong-lalo na maraming nangyari sa team, maraming naging problema, pero still, they wanted to push the season, and yun nga, gustuhin man namin makuha itong panalo na ito, pero sabi ko nga, maraming plano si Lord,” said the first-year coach.
“Kung hindi man namin makuha itong season na ito, yung next season namin is another chance na makakuha ng marami pang panalo.”
Despite not having any wins to show, Cepada remains proud of the Lady Warriors’ efforts and believes they gave their best, supporting each other throughout the tough season.
“I think po yung tapang saka tatag nasa every person naman na po yun. It’s just that pag nada-down, I think masasabi ko po na dinadagdagan ng teammates at coaches yung pagiging matatag ko po. Doon ko po nare-realize na hindi lang po pala ako nag-iisa sa team na ito, doon ko po nare-realize na meron po akong sila na laging nasa likod ko,” said Cepada.
#WATCH: Interim UE head coach Allan Mendoza, along with players Khy Cepada and Van Bangayan, share their thoughts on their journey this season and what lies ahead for them with the Lady Warriors 🏐
📹 Nicole Parallag/Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/PPLCMP6pdZ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 26, 2025
