Van Bangayan left it all on the court during University of the East’s gallant stand against heavily-favored Adamson University on Saturday in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
The 20-year-old rookie erupted for 27 big points against the Lady Falcons she made on 25 attacks, a block, and a service ace but it was not enough.
Adamson kept the Lady Warriors winless in 11 games, 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 27-25, at the Philsports Arena.
And her inspired performance was because of the motivation given by their head coach Ronwald Dimaculangan.
“Sa akin po, sabi nga ni coach, buong puso lang kasi wala naman mawawala sa amin,” said Bangayan as UE is already out of Final Four contention.
“Yun nga sabi ni coach, maglaro lang ng buong puso tapos maglaro para sa UE. Hindi ‘yung sa likuran lang ng jersey mo. Sabi ni coach ‘palo lang’ edi pumalo ako,” added the UST High School product.
Still unable to finally break into the win column, Bangayan hopes that in their last three games of the season against National University, University of the Philippines, and De La Salle University, all of their guns click simultaneously.
Such was not the case most of the times for the Lady Warriors as Ja Lana, KC Cepada, and Bangayan have yet erupt all at the same time.
“Wish ko lang po talaga sa team namin, sana po magsabay-sabay po kami lahat as in lahat po talaga kahit ‘yung bench po,” said the 5-foot-6 opposite spiker.
“Muntikan na eh malapit na talaga kaso parang kinulang na naman, ayun po sana magsabay-sabay na po kami lalo na po kaming tatlo nila Ate Ja Lana, KC Cepada, and ako pati yung middles namin.“
For his part, Dimaculangan is relieved to finally see Bangayan show off what she can do.
The second-year UE tactician marveled at Bangayan, who fought until the end with all her heart.
“Actually si Van kasi even during training nandoon naman talaga, may depensa, matalino maglaro, may power… actually kumpleto siya. Medyo siguro kinapos lang sa height pero nako-compensate naman ‘yung ibang bagay,” said Dimaculangan.
“Siguro kung idi-describe ko in one word ‘yung kay Van, siguro amazing. I was very amazed na lumabas finally kasi medyo matagal din siya nakulong sa shell na hindi nabigyan ng chance to showcase kung ano meron siya.”
Bangayan was part of UE’s COVID-reserve players.
Back in Season 82 when she was still competing for UST, Bangayan played in the high school girls beach volleyball before it was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
