Lady Eagles ‘underdogs’ in Shakey’s V-League finals

MANILA, Philippines - Despite coming one game short of sweeping their way to the finals, the Ateneo Lady Eagles believe they’re the underdogs when they slug it out with the National University Lady Bulldogs for the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference crown starting Sunday at The Arena in San Juan City. 

“NU is really a veteran team, it has a lot of experienced players,” said Ateneo skipper and league scoring leader Alyssa Valdez, moments after leading the team past University of Santo Tomas, 25-18, 25-18, 25-19, in their sudden death for the second finals berth last Wednesday.

The reigning UAAP champions were on their way to a sweep after a dominant run in the group stages and the quarters but got ambushed by the tough-defending Tigresses in four in Game Two of their best-of-three semis playoff last Sunday.

But they put their act together in the decider and played true to form, outclassing the España-based squad to seal a dream showdown with the Lady Bulldogs, who swept the Far Eastern U Lady Tams in their side of the Final Four.

Ateneo also beat NU in four during their lone face-off in the quarters of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

Still, the Lady Eagles insist they’re the underdogs in the best-of-three title series.

“We love to think we’re the underdogs and push ourselves to improve,” said Valdez.

The crisp-hitting Ateneo stalwart points to the likes of Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas and guest player setter Rubie de Leon, who have all logged in a number of stints in the Shakey’s V-League and some for the national team.

Valdez said their goal is to gain experience and learn to play consistent as they prepare for the coming UAAP volley wars.

“We’re not looking for a win, we’re looking for a good performance, gain experience and achieve maturity of the team because if you will notice, we have a young team and this is our first finals together,” she said.

Experts, however, believe the Lady Eagles remain the favorites given their most potent weapon in Valdez, who is tipped to run away with this conference’s MVP honors.