THREE SEEMS to be the magic number for the Lady Spikers. After a tumultuous season that surprised pundits by placing fourth in season 71, they took it up a gear finishing a historic third place last season. Coincidentally, the Lady Spikers also placed third in the Shakey’s V-League which concluded in a sudden death final between San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) and eventual victors, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) last May 28.
Shakey’s V-League
Minor adjustments were made, as V-League rules allow two guest players Ateneo flew in Thai Sontaya Keawbundit and called on alum Charo Soriano.
The first round-robin saw the ladies breeze through with solid victories over SSC-R, Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU), and the College of Saint Benilde, obtaining only one loss to Adamson. Nevertheless, the Lady Spikers’ 3-1 record was enough to qualify for the quarterfinal round robin.
Their first opponents were Cebu representatives Southwestern University (SWU). In a crucial game that would determine a semi-final berth, the Lady Spikers crushed SWU in straight sets.
On May 13, the Lady Spikers completed the quarterfinal stages with a defeat to UST, granting the Lady Tigers the number one spot for their division. This meant that UST would face LPU, and Ateneo would face tournament favourites SSC-R in the semi-finals.
For the first time since their semi-final berth in 2008—where they lost to eventual champions Adamson—the girls in Blue found themselves bidding for a finals slot. Unfortunately, they failed to seize the opportunity.
In a best of three playoff, the Lady Spikers fell to the top-performing SSC-R 2-0, automatically setting them to gut it out with the LPU Lady Pirates, whom UST eliminated in their own semi-final showdown.
An ACL to Charo Soriano during their quarterfinal to UST was expected to slow them down, but Aerieal Patnongon stepped up to the plate. Despite Soriano’s absence, the team thrived en route to a 2-0 sweep against the Lady Pirates to place third.
For the Lady Spikers, the V-League exhibited their growth and development: scoring on kills, utilizing defensive digs, making smooth defensive adjustments, and most importantly embodying good team work.
The new and the old
The core of Kara Acevedo, Gretchen Ho, Jamenea Ferrer, Fille Cainglet, and Angeline Gervacio will still be around for the Lady Spikers. After having completed her 2-year residency—UAAP policy for transfer players—UST transferee Patnongon will be available. More importantly, sophomores Ramona Bagatsing, and Natasha Faustino will have one year of experience under their belts.
Furthermore, the arrival of rookies Bea Tan (Cebu), Ella de Jesus (St. James), Dennise Lazaro (Colegio San Agustin), Amy Ahomiro (Brent International), and Alyssa Valdez (UST) will help offset the key losses.
Pre-season training
Gervacio, one of the team’s vital offensive cogs said, “Every time the school year starts, we always go back, focusing on the basic skills.”
Improving from her rookie year, showing more control and maturity, Geravacio V-League was amongst the top scorers during the V-league, behind Soriano and Sontaya.
Training for the V-League and the tournament itself served as training camp for the team, entailing lots of running drills—sprints and jogs—and jumping on tables, among others.
Exceeding expectations
Last season’s third place finish speaks volumes. “Last year, the team’s goal was to just be part of the Final Four”, said Ferrer, currently the UAAP’s Best Setter.
“We want to win the championship this year”, Ferrer added, “Coach even said that winning third was premature as he anticipated this to happen after this season”.
With the winning nucleus intact, and most willing to play a fifth year, the ‘premature’ victory has motivated them to aim high. The Ateneo history books will be waiting to be re-written, whether it is by finishing second, or, hopefully, being crowned champions.
The UAAP volleyball tournament kicks off in December this year, with all games held at The Arena in San Juan.
