Will the Nisperos sisters be the key to Ateneo's season?
From the NU Bulldogs to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Faith Nisperos says she did not expect to be actually playing in the same court with her younger sister Ysabelle in the UAAP.
"We never really imagined. We started out volleyball as someting we wanna try, something our parents wanted us to try. Napilitan pa kami," Faith Nisperos told the UAAP Varsity Channel. "But here we are in the biggest stage in the country."
"Dream come true. Not every sister, sibling could do that at the same time. So I'm really excited to play with her on the court."
Faith Nisperos, Season 84's Second Best Outside Hitter, will be banking on her bond with Yssa—who has also competed in beach volleyball—to help Ateneo improve its finish in Season 85.
No more Fab 5 for the former volleyball champions, but Nisperos was able to lead the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a third place finish last season after defeating the Adamson Lady Falcons and the UST Golden Tigresses in their postseason run, only to fall to the De La Salle Lady Spikers in the second round of the stepladder semifinals.
"What I can assure to the Ateneo community is I'll always be stepping up in every game, I can assure them I can push myself and my teammates to give ourselves the best in every game. Of course, we'll fight our hearts out for them," she added.
Outside hitter Vanie Gandler is also looking positively on their previous finish.
"Last season we fell short, but we also made it further than everyone expected. So this time around, we have more experience, more time for preparation. So we're going to use that preparation to hopefully make it further," she said.
They will be immediately put to the test, as the Ateneo will face defending champions National University on February 25, at 2 PM.