Lady Eagles reclaim top title, now UAAP S81 women’s volley champs

FILE: “They counted out everybody, but I trusted them. That’s the most important thing of all.” – Coach Oliver Almadro (Photo: Oliver Almadro/Facebook)

After missing the crown in the finals during seasons 78, 79, and 80, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles reclaimed the top crown for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 women’s volleyball division after a three-set victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses during Game Three of the best-of-three semifinals last Saturday, May 18 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay.

Kat Tolentino, who has yet to announce whether or not she plans to return for the Lady Eagles for Season 82, led her team with 15 points and 11 attacks, averaging a total of 12.7 in the finals series. Teammate Maddie Madayag had 10 points off six kills and four blocks, while Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bea De Leon chipped six, averaging 7.7 in the last three games. Setter Deanna Wong had 16 excellent sets with 12 digs and four points, while Jules Samonte had six points and ten excellent receptions. Dani Ravena totalled 13 digs and seven excellent receptions.

As for the Lady Tigresses, who were seeking a championship to redeem themselves from the last nine years, they were led by senior Sisi Rondina with 18 points off 17 kills, also adding 11 digs and seven excellent receptions. Rookie Eya Laure came back from Game Two’s injury and scored a total of 10. Unfortunately, UST struggled with a total of 29 errors throughout the entire game.

The set scores ended 25-17, 25-22, and 25-22.

“First, it’s not how you start, it’s how you end it,” Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro told the media immediately after the game, referring to their Game One loss against their competitors, “Many people counted us out. We will not be perfect players. I will not be that perfect coach, but we worked as a team. We worked as a family. That’s what’s important,” adding, “Sometimes, talent, science and skills are not important. What’s important is how you train, how you trust each other and how you put the faith in God.”

He concluded, “They counted out everybody, but I trusted them. That’s the most important thing of all,” elaborating, “The system is not yet perfect, but they trusted the system. They really worked hard. I’m just an instrument. They really were the ones who worked for it.

This is Ateneo’s third title since 2015.