MANILA, Philippines - Waiting for their formal enshrinement as back-to-back UAAP women’s volleyball champs via a historic 16-0 card, Ateneo skipper Alyssa Valdez and her teammates collected confetti on the floor and gathered them on the hem of their blue champion shirts, ready to shower one another again when it’s time to raise the trophy.
The Lady Eagles were having fun – a much-deserved celebration for a team that toiled in a Spartan-like twice-a-day training under Thai mentor Anusorn “Tai” Bundit all year long to prep for their title defense in Season 77.
And after a dominating run to two successive titles, talks about a “three-peat” for the Lady Eagles are already circulating as early as now.
“Next year? Wait lang po, magte-training na kami bukas (We’ll start training for it tomorrow),” Ateneo skipper Alyssa Valdez said in jest when asked about the prospects for the team next season.
The Lady Eagles won’t have utility Ella de Jesus, top libero Denden Lazaro and Aeriel Patnongon for the three-peat bid as they maxed out their playing years. But new recruits are expected to come in, led by 6-foot-3 Fil-Canadian Katrina Tolentino and Ana Gopico from the injury list.
“We really don’t know (if we’ll be stronger next year). Ang laking kawalan nila Ella at Denden, hindi lang skills, pati leadership (We’ll miss not only the skills of de Jesus and Lazaro but also their leadership qualities,” said back-to-back season MVP Valdez.
“We’re gonna work hard, syempre (definitely). Sabi nga ni coach Tai before the start of this season, it’s harder to defend the title. What more to defend two titles (next year). For sure, coach Tai will be harsher, harder on us. So we’ll see next year,” she added.
Tolentino, sister of basketball varsity player Vince, looms as a major force in the coming season.
“We’re excited for her to join the team. She’s very tall and she’s really fast,” said Kiwi Amy Ahomiro, who was named Finals MVP.
The Lady Eagles will continue to enjoy the steady plays of setter Jia Morado in the next campaign. Reigning Best Setter Morado delivered the championship point for Ateneo and made 32 excellent sets in the clinching 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 win over La Salle Saturday.
“Jia, she’s a great player, she’s capable of a lot of things so when she finished the game with that drop ball over the net, it’s just what Jia does,” said Ahomiro.
“Actually hindi kami ang nagdala sa team, si Jia ang nagdala sa team, siya ang nagdistribute ng bola (Morado was the one who carried the team with her ball distribution). She really had a super game today, she was amazing,” said Valdez.
The pride of San Juan, Batangas also gave credit to Bundit, whose rigid training and meditation techniques have made the Lady Eagles a new force in the UAAP.
“Coach Tai really deserved everything. He’s really humble. Kahit monster talaga siya (Even if he’s a monster to us) during training and super harsh, (we know) it’s for the betterment of the team,” said Valdez.