Ateneo de Manila University may have fallen short of its monster scare against University of Santo Tomas, but they have surely earned respect in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
For the Blue Eagles, they know within themselves that they possess the potential and power to challenge every team in the league. It’s just a matter of unleashing that promise into action on the taraflex during games.
UST still escaped unscathed, winning 25-15, 27-25, 23-25, 26-28, 15-13 in Wednesday night’s matchup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, but they were certainly shocked by Ateneo’s relentless pursuit in the final three sets.
“Nakita namin yung level talaga namin ngayong game na kaya pa namin umangat ngayong second round basta maging consistent lang kami at magtiwala sa sarili, lalabas na talaga yung tunay naming laro,” said Lyann De Guzman, who poured in 22 points and 12 digs in the sorry loss.
In the first round where the Blue Eagles went 2-5, their wins came against University of the Philippines and Adamson University, while losing to powerhouse National University in five sets, University of the East and Far Eastern University in four, and against UST and La Salle in straight sets,
The Golden Tigresses, who are now at 8-0, held a commanding 2-0 set lead but De Guzman, along with Sobe Buena and Geezel Tsunashima connived to lift Ateneo in the third and fourth to send it to a decider.
Buena and Tsunashima each collected 21 points while Yvana Sulit also chimed in 12. Roma Mae Doromal held the fort in defense with 22 digs and 18 receptions.
“Yun nga nakita ko sa teammates ko kanina na hindi sila nag give up. Nakita ko yung fighting spirit nila hanggang dulo na kahit anong mangyari, we just keep playing at sumunod lang sa system ni coach. Lahat kasi susunod na once isang person sa court nakikita mong lumalaban mabuboost talaga po yung morale namin,” said De Guzman, who stepped to the plate after key players left after last season.
“Mindset lang namin na ibigay na talaga ang lahat kasi wala namang mawawala sa amin eh. All of us worked very well talaga and I’m so very proud of my teammates kasi nakita ko kahit lamang na yung kalaban, hindi kami tumitigil, lahat kami nagtulungan,” continued the junior outside spiker.
First-year Ateneo head coach Sergio Veloso could not help but beam with pride for his young team despite the loss.
The Golden Tigresses were overwhelming favorites coming into the game against the rebuilding Blue Eagles.
“I’m so proud of my team. UST was the first in the first round; they won all seven games. When we started this second round, we played against one of the strongest teams,” said Veloso, who also handles the Philippine men’s national volleyball team.
“My players showed that they can play at that level. This is so important. I know this because in practice, I know my team, and sometimes I ask them, ‘Hey, you need to show it in the match; why show it only in practice?’ Today, I think everybody can see that this team can play at a high level. Not only did our team play very well, but the other team played very well too. I think today was one of the best matches; both sides played strongly. I’m so proud of my players.”
Ateneo will look to use this morale-booster despite of a loss come its next match on Sunday against UP, which it already defeated in the first round.
