Ateneo de Manila University’s fate, whether it will make the Final Four or not, was already out of its hands when it suffered a 22-25, 20-25, 29-27, 21-25 defeat at the hands of University of Santo Tomas on Saturday.
On Sunday, National University cruised past Far Eastern University in straight sets, which also marked the end of the road for the Blue Eagles.
For the first time since UAAP Season 71 (2008-09), there will be no Ateneo in the semifinals of the league. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 8-3 while the Blue Eagles’ best finish scenario will only be at 7-7.
Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro admitted what happened that led to his team’s ouster from Final Four contention, breaking their 11-season streak in the post-season play. But he also commended his players for playing their best game this season against the Golden Tigresses, fighting until the end before just faltering in the fourth set.
“What I’m just proud of is I guess I saw my players play with heart and possibility. We can give a game like this. We can challenge other teams,” shared Almadro after their defeat to UST that left their chances hanging in the balance before NU decided their fate the next day.
“It just so happened that talagang gumagaling yung ibang teams, and sabi ko nga, this UAAP talagang lahat nag-step up, kami medyo naging stagnant. But for me, my players really played their hearts out today,” added the two-division UAAP champion coach.
But despite the uncharacteristic showing, Almadro wanted to stick to the positives of his squad led by Faith Nisperos. So far, the Blue Eagles have only beaten University of the Philippines and University of the East twice each, the two teams below them in the standings.
“Meron talagang crucial breaks, we started slow, and then pag naka-recover we tend to end up waiting, but I will take the positives going to the next game and the near future also. Hindi naman dito natatapos everything,” he said.
Almadro also admitted that he, as a coach, still needs to improve for Ateneo to return to its winning ways. He started his stint with the women’s team with a championship in Season 81 before landing a bronze finish in Season 84.
“Siguro me as a coach kulang din also. I mean, I’m also lacking yung endgame to really motivate them to finish it hard,” said Almadro.
“We have to acknowledge it, and I have to acknowledge it also.”
