Ateneo rises from heartbreaks to heartstrong

MANILA, Philippines -- It was as if their roles were reversed.

Ateneo, the underdog, was playing like the champion, punching through with big hits and blocks while La Salle, the fancied three-holders, was acting more like an upstart challenger, desperately trying to keep in step with their energetic rivals.

After one hour and 34 minutes of whiteknuckle battle, the Lady Eagles did the unthinkable, dethroning the powerhouse Lady Spikers via a gutsy 25-23, 26-24, 25-21 straight set win in the sudden death for the UAAP Season 76 women's volleyball crown at a packed Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

Carrying just modest goals with their rookie-laden lineup, the AdMU Lady Eagles had overachieved with a capital O. Not only did they capture their first-ever diadem, they also overhauled what was previously perceived as an insurmountable thrice-to-beat advantage that a No. 1 squad enjoyed in the finals.

"Sobrang worth it ang pinaghirapan namin sa training (Our hardwork in training  paid off big time)," said AdMU captain Alyssa Valdez after the Katipunan-based spikers turned La Salle's dream season into a nightmare.

Valdez was tasked to take the mantle following the graduation of five key players last season.

"Pinag-uusapan namin sa start of the season, final four yung goal namin. Nakaabot pa kami sa dulo, nakuha pa namin ang gold medal (We were just targeting a modest goal of reaching the Final Four, but here we are, the last team standing, winning the title)," she added.

Taking over in the rubbermatch, Valdez scored 21 points, including 10 in the first set, to lead Ateneo to the emphatic victory they pulled off before a record crowd of 21, 314. The third-year star won Finals MVP honors to complete a dominating season, in which she also captured Season MVP, Best Scorer and Best Server honors.

More importantly, after two previous heartbreaks to La Salle, Valdez led Ateneo to the Promised Land. Third time's a charm for the Ateneans.

"Hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in. Tapos na pala season. Naka-gold pa tayo. For the past two years, gustong-gusto namin ito makuha (We couldn't believe the season's over and we've finally done it after falling short the past two years)," she said.

Ateneo was more accurate with their spiking, slamming 43 kills against the taller La Salle's 30. They held their own in terms of blocking, getting six points there versus the 10 of DLSU, and had four aces, two more than La Salle.

Veteran Dennise Lazaro led the defensive effort with 15 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions.

Valdez contributed in that area with 12 digs. Setter Jia Morado delivered, too, accounting for all but one of their 25 excellent sets.

"Team played happy, united, heart strong," said Ateneo's Thai coach Anusorn Bundit, giving the happy AdMu gallery his now-famous running dance.

The Lady Eagles extricated from a 21-all count with successive hits by Michelle Morente, Valdez and Ella de Jesus and after yielding a point to  La Salle, they secured the first via set via Valdez's kill.

The Lady Spikers raced to a 17-10 margin in the second frame but the Lady Eagles, with their "heart-strong" attitude coming into play and their meditation technique serving them well, clawed back and turned the tables around. With DLSU on the hill, 24-21, Ateneo strung up five straight points to steal the set and open a two-set cushion.

Getting more and more confident, Ateneo seized a 19-10 tear in the third. Its title on the line, DLSU unleashed one final stand and went to within 19-22 but Valdez took over and scored the three markers needed to seal it for the upset-conscious underdogs.

Valdez laid down on the floor, clutching her face, wiping tears of joy as ADMU players and staff exchanged congratulatory hugs, crying, while white confetti fell.
On the other end, tears flowed freely for a La Salle side, whose 14-0 elims sweep amounted to nothing in the end.

Only one player scored in double figures for DLSU, Ara Galang who had 11.