No room for regrets as Kath Arado's swan song nears

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — When it comes to the conversation of star liberos in recent UAAP history, it is almost impossible not to include UE's Kath Arado in the mix.

Despite spending most of her UAAP career in the bottom end of the standings, the graduating Lady Warrior has definitely made an indelible mark in her volleyball career.

With one more game remaining in her collegiate career, Arado plans to go out with a bang.

"Ibibigay ko na lahat.... Kasi ayokong aalis ako ng UAAP na may pinagsisihan ako na 'sana' or 'what if'," Arado said after UE's loss to DLSU on Wednesday.

Arado and the Lady Warriors had humble goals and expectations going into the UAAP season. The plan was plain and simple — to finish with a record better than their last.

It's already mission accomplished for UE, so to speak, with their 3-10 record already surpassing their 2-12 slate the year before. 

But Arado wants to leave UE with something more permanent, something future UE volleybelles can always look back to.

"Kailangan ko ipakita yung pagiging palaban eh, yun yung kailangan ko iwan na kahit anong score, kahit anong school yan... kailangan lumaban," Arado said.

Regardless of their seventh-place finish, the libero is confident to leave the Lady Warriors with a winning culture in their minds.

"Yung respeto ng kalaban nakuha na namin... Papasok sila next season na walang kaba, walang takot," she said.

Arado along with fellow Lady Warriors Judith Abil, Lai Bendong, Roselle Baliton, Jana Sta. Maria and Jas Alcayalde play their final game for UE when they face top-seed Ateneo on Sunday.