The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles’ first two matches in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference were arguably the worst two-game stretch for the program in years. The team that had just won back-to-back UAAP titles two years ago were far from championship form, having lost all-time great Alyssa Valdez and missing injured hitter Jhoana Maraguinot.
Ateneo stumbled through their first two matches, losing to the Technological Institute of the Philippines Lady Engineers and the San Sebastian Lady Stags.
But the Lady Eagles have always been resilient, and they showed it in their past two games. With only a sliver a hope to extend their SVL season, the Ladies from Loyola breathed life into their campaign.
They dismantled the University of Perpetual Sytem DALTA Lady Altas last week, then handed the National University Lady Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
Having finished Group A action with a 2-2 record, Ateneo forced a do-or-die match for the last quarters seat against TIP.
According to team captain Mich Morente, Ateneo have finally showed the fruits of their laboriously intense Tai Bundit training.
“Mas nag-work hard kami sa mga weaknesses namin sa training – sa receive, sa palo, sa service, sa lahat.
“Kung ano ‘yung mga mistake namin last game. Ngayon, thankful kami kasi lumabas lahat ng hardwork namin sa training,” said Morente, who had her best match of the season against NU, scoring 20 points and looking boisterous on defense.
Beating the Lady Bulldogs, who had dominated their competition prior to facing Ateneo, gave the Lady Eagles much-needed confidence.
Without Valdez and Maraguinot, Ateneo had found different sources of offense in rookie Jules Samonte, returning converted open hitter Ana Gopico, and third year winger Kim Gequillana.
“Dito namin nakita kung ano kaya naming gawin. Nakita naman na lahat kami, maganda ang laro, masipag sa depensa, happy lang sa court,” Morente remarked.
“Iniisip lang naming na one game at a time. We just try to think na wala talagang pressure – for experience lang talaga. Kung saan kami maabot ng mga panalo namin hanggang doon lang kami. Hanggang nanalo pa kami, go lang.”
Morente and the Lady Eagles are now eager to show TIP how much they’ve improved since opening day.
“Natalo nila kami last time. Siguro ito ‘yung chance naming na maka-comeback against them last time at mapakita kung ano ‘yung kaya talaga naming gawin,” Morente concluded.
The do-or-die match will be on Monday, August 22, 6:00 pm, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
