Michelle Morente was a fixture on the Ateneo de Manila University sidelines last year. After a promising first two seasons, the California native was not included in the Lady Eagles’ lineup last season due to academic deficiencies.
Morente went through it all during her time out: she toiled to get her grades up, struggled to get back into game shape, and, ultimately, watched her teammates lose in the Finals against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
Finally getting a chance to take the court this season, the opposite spiker made the most of her return to the Ateneo-La Salle stage. She was all over the court, scoring 25 points while digging 19 hits, and passing 12 serves excellently. The 20-year old was the star of the first encounter in a new era of the rivalry, further proving the her importance to the Lady Eagles.
“I’m really happy for Mich kasi she’s getting her opportunity and she’s playing really well. She does a lot for the team talaga,” said Ateneo middle blocker Bea De Leon.
“Siyempre, I’m happy kasi one year din akong nawala and it was great to go out with my teammates and help us win,” Morente said.
For her solid individual performance — her second triple-double of the season — she credits her teammates and coaches.
“I’m lucky that I have my teammates and coaches who guide us throughout the game. I’m just really happy to be back and contributing,” added the fourth-year Lady Eagles.
On whether having Morente on last year’s squad would have pushed them past La Salle, Amy Ahomiro, former Ateneo middle hitter, said that it still was not a sure thing.
“Mich is definitely a good player but you really can’t tell din because La Salle was such a good team and they deserved to win last year. It’s just great to see Mich back with the team,” the Kiwi said about Morente.
