In less than four days, Ateneo de Manila University’s campaign in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament suffered a series of devastating setbacks.
The Blue Eagles’ injury woes began on the night of February 13, when outside hitter Sobe Buena sprained her left ankle during practice, forcing her to miss their first two games.
Less than 24 hours later, wing spiker Jlo Delos Santos tore her left ACL during Ateneo’s final scrimmage before their season opener against Adamson University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The string of misfortunes continued as spiker Zel Tsunashima suffered a freak injury in their opening match against the Lady Falcons. She fractured her left shin (tibia and fibula), effectively ruling her out for the rest of the season.
With Tsunashima and Delos Santos sidelined for the entire tournament, Ateneo quickly embraced a “next man up” mentality after starting the season with back-to-back losses — a reverse sweep against Adamson, followed by a straight-sets defeat to defending champion National University.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Determined to bounce back, the Blue Eagles faced an undefeated University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons squad.
This time, Buena provided the much-needed spark, leading Ateneo to a commanding 25-18, 25-22, 25-18 sweep of UP on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Fueled by the season-ending injuries of Delos Santos and Tsunashima, Buena delivered a stellar performance, tallying 17 points on 15 attacks, one block, and one ace, while also contributing six excellent digs and four excellent receptions.
“I think we’re really very motivated — like now more so, even — kasi as I said, we’re not just playing for ourselves, we’re also playing for the Ateneo community. We’re playing for Zel and JLo,” the third-year spiker said postgame.
“And I think that’s really something na we can get our strength from. It’s really something na we can keep working hard towards as we try to make the Final Four and help each other along the way,” she added.
“I think I just tried to make the most out of this game kasi nga I wasn’t able to help my teammates in those first two games. So my mindset going into this game was really just to give my all and be a good teammate to all of them. Kasi we all work really hard in training, and we all really sacrifice a lot to be here.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Head coach Sergio Veloso felt particularly pleased with Buena’s return, emphasizing how their off-season training to develop all 16 players on the roster is gradually paying off — especially in Buena’s case.
Having opted to sit her out in their loss to NU last Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Veloso was proud of how the 21-year-old spiker from Assumption Antipolo overcame her initial jitters and stepped up when the team needed her most.
“Yes, in our team, we prepare all players. When the team needs this player, they need to feel, ‘I’m strong, I can help the team.’ And with this situation, we had a little problem last week, and after that, unfortunately, Zel and JLo too,” Veloso explained.
He went on, “But as I told the players, ‘Show me in the practice and confirm it in the match.’ And sometimes, no matter if you are a senior or if you are a rookie, I give you a chance. And everybody needs to play.
“I could have used Sobe in the last match, but in the warm-up, I asked her, ‘Sobe, what do you feel?’ Because when you land, I saw you… I’m not so confident. Sobe, you go out, because for me, it’s more important — it’s the player. It’s security, you need to prevent another injury. And I’m just proud that she was able to immediately make an impact,” the former Alas Pilipinas men’s coach concluded.
