Ateneo and National U are bracing for a dogfight in the deciding match of the Shakey’s V-League First Conference finals series on Sunday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
With the series tied at one game apiece and both teams already imposing their style on each other, there are few secrets left when they face off in Game 3.
“It’s going to come down to mental toughness and how prepared we are to pressure situations,” said Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez.
“There’s no tomorrow, so we have to give it our all,” said NU spiker Myla Pablo.
The protagonists in the country’s biggest volleyball league graced the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate and were in agreement that Game 3, which will be aired live on GMA News TV-11 is too close to call.
“It’s the championship match, so it will be close,” said Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb whose squad took Game 1 in straight sets.
“This is the last game; there is no Game Four,” said NU rookie coach Edjet Mabbayad, whose Lady Bulldogs battled back to also post a lopsided straight-sets win in Game 2.
With Dindin and Jaja Santiago at the helm, the Lady Bulldogs unsettled the Lady Eagles with their attacking variations. Mabbayad said Game 3 will boil down to reception and floor defense. “We can’t attack well if we don’t recieve the ball properly,” he said.
Ateneo has extra motivation to win as graduating players Jem Ferrer and Fille Cainglet are playing their final games. “We would love to finish our careers as champions,” both said.