Saddened via go out, Ateneo finds hope

It wasn’t the fairy-tale finishing Ateneo had dreamed of when UAAP Season 87 started, nevertheless it used to be a end the Blue Eagles may nonetheless be pleased with.

Wounded however unbowed, Ateneo closed its marketing campaign with a gritty 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25 victory over University of the East (UE) on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, snapping a four-game skid and giving the Katipunan devoted a glimpse of what may well be at the horizon.

Middle blocker Jihan Chuatico stood tall in Ateneo’s ultimate stand, turning in a 16-point efficiency that helped the Blue Eagles seal a 5-9 win-loss file. Despite the workforce’s manpower woes, Ateneo matched its end from the former season.

“I think it’s going to be very bright, especially with the rookies that we have. They’re very brave and strong mentally,” Chuatico mentioned in Filipino, speaking in regards to the workforce’s long term after the fit. “I just hope that more and more people will support us because we already have the skills to challenge the top teams next year.”

The Blue Eagles entered the season brimming with doable, best to peer it derailed via a string of accidents to key gamers JLo delos Santos, Zel Tsunashima and Sobe Buena. It used to be a merciless twist for a squad that had top hopes of returning to the Final Four.

“I had big expectations coming into this season, especially with Zel, JLo and Sobe. Our team was quite strong. But that said, we didn’t expect what happened,” mentioned workforce captain Lyann De Guzman, who produced 13 issues, 18 superb digs and 17 superb receptions in a character-filled trip. “I’m still happy because we achieved our goal, which was to show that even with a lean lineup, we could still compete.”

De Guzman, who frequently carried Ateneo via tricky stretches this season, remained a logo of consistency and management. Throughout the Blue Eagles’ struggles, she become the anchor, turning in all-around efforts that saved the workforce aggressive even if the chances gave the impression stacked in opposition to them.

“I’m very happy with my teammates because they really stepped up,” she mentioned. “Everyone was ready. We all took on our roles no matter how big or small.”

Somber finish

While Ateneo’s win supplied a glimmer of hope, it used to be a somber finish for UE. The Lady Red Warriors, not able to protected a unmarried victory this season, noticed their efforts fall brief in spite of flashes of particular person brilliance, akin to Nessa Bangayan’s 16-point efficiency on Saturday.

As for Ateneo, a lot of its long term stays intertwined with the choices of standouts like De Guzman, who nonetheless has 365 days of eligibility however has but to substantiate her plans for Season 88.

“It’s still hard to say,” De Guzman mentioned when requested about her go back. “Right now, I’m just grateful for everything we were able to overcome.”

For now, the Blue Eagles can take solace in figuring out they didn’t simply live to tell the tale a hard season—they fought till the very final level, construction a basis they hope will lead them again to the place they consider they belong, some of the UAAP’s elite. —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF