Valdez believes Lady Eagles are underdogs against Lady Bulldogs

Amy Ahomiro scored nine points to help Ateneo beat FEU on Saturday. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Even with a blemished record, Ateneo remains the leader in this the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference.

But skipper Alyssa Valdez sees  her Lady Eagles as the underdogs against the National University Lady Bulldogs.

“Definitely we’re the underdogs,” Valdez said Wednesday after Ateneo clinched a finals berth. “We love to think that we really are the underdogs so we can improve further.”

READ: ‘Happy, inspired’ Ateneo knocks out UST for V-League finals berth

Ateneo lost only once this conference—a semifinals setback to University of Santo Tomas last Sunday—while NU tasted defeated twice leading to their finals match up.

The Lady Bulldogs are backed with two imposing figure that the Lady Eagles are wary of.

Sisters Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Jaja Santiago are two pair of blockers with the size Ateneo just can’t match while waiting on the flanks are Jorelle Singh and Myla Pablo.

“They are veterans, NU has the sisters Jaja and Dindin while it also has Myla and Jorelle,” Valdez said.

Another veteran is returning setter Rubie De Leon, who terrorized Ateneo when NU won the V-League title in 2013.

Valdez, however, remains hopeful the Lady Eagles can pull off victories against their 2013 tormentors.

“We’re praying,” Valdez said. “The ball is round and we can get confidence in training.”