The Blue Eagles grab their first win in UAAP Season 85.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles bounced back from their 3-0 opening day loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs with a 3-1 victory over the UE Lady Red Warriors on Wednesday.
The Lady Warriors kept the game close for most of the match, even stealing the third set from the Blue Eagles. That is until Ateneo dominated the fourth set to clinch the win, 25-17, 25-23, 24-26, 25-10.
While it wasn’t the cleanest of victories for the Blue Eagles, Coach Oliver Almadro said they’ll take the win.
“A win is a win. We are happy for this first win this season. We may not want how it ends, but of course, siyempre UE naman played well, lumaban sila and siyempre nagte-training sila, so we’re happy we got the win,” said Almadro.
The victory, nonetheless, still left Almadro wanting, as he called for a huddle with his players right after the game to run through the finer details of their play. It was also the reason why the Blue Eagles took a while before showing up for the post-game press conference.
“I just reiterated mga details kaya tumagal. Pinasabi ko 'yung mga details why it happened,” said Almadro. “Too much siguro expectation ko in this game kasi we want to bounce back convincingly, but medyo at first two sets, especially the third set medyo parang hindi ko nakita 'yung gusto kong makita especially in executing our skills, our fundamentals.”
The bright spot for Ateneo, though, is Geezel Tsunashima. The rookie spiker made herself quite an introduction to the UAAP after scoring 13 points off 11 attacks, a block, and an ace.
“Ang mindset lang kasi every time I enter into the court, always kong iniisip na ipapakita ko 'yung anong pinaghirapan ko and of course, may purpose 'yung pag-pasok sa court so ipapakita ko 'yung purpose ko and ipe-play ko lang 'yung role na binigay ni coach sakin,” said Tsunashima.
Co-captains Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler, meanwhile, scored 14 points apiece in the victory.
Ateneo will look to continue their winning ways against no less than their bitter rivals, the De La Salle Lady Spikers, on Sunday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m.