9 hours Ago By Delfin Dioquino
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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );MANILA, Philippines – It may not have been what Lyann de Guzman had envisioned for possibly her final season with Ateneo, but she found consolation in the fact that the Blue Eagles competed despite a depleted roster. De Guzman praised the team for staying the course even as a string of injuries doomed its campaign as Ateneo concluded the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament with a four-set win over UE on Saturday, April 26.
“I’m still happy because I feel that we still achieved our goal, which is to show that even if we’re shorthanded, we’re still going to fight,” said De Guzman after the 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25 triumph. Given the captainship this season, De Guzman admitted that she had expected an improved showing from the Blue Eagles after missing the Final Four in the past two seasons.But Ateneo dealt with personnel woes even before it got things going.
JLo delos Santos injured her left leg just days before the start of the tournament, while Geezel Tsunashima broke her left leg in the fifth and final set of the Blue Eagles’ season-opening loss to Adamson.Ateneo then lost Sobe Buena, who suffered a season-ending right knee injury later in the first round.“My expectations were really high for this season, especially with Zel, Jlo, and Sobe.
We had a very strong team. But we could not have expected what happened,” said De Guzman. Without its key pieces, Ateneo finished with a 5-9 record for seventh place, although the Blue Eagles went out in style as they snapped a four-game skid and prevented the Lady Red Warriors from cracking the win column.
De Guzman tallied a triple-double of 13 points, 18 excellent digs, and 17 excellent receptions in what could be her last UAAP game as she mulls over turning pro and joining the Premier Volleyball League.Whether she stays or goes, De Guzman believes Ateneo is in good hands with its young guns, with rookies Jihan Chuatico and Alexia Montoro also delivering against UE by tallying 16 and 11 points, respectively. “I’m very happy with our rookies because they’re ready and they step up,” said De Guzman.
“As for my journey at Ateneo, I’m very happy because I learned a lot.” – Rappler.com.
