Valdez praises bench spark Gequillana

Ateneo Lady Eagles. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

As strong as Alyssa Valdez is, the two-time UAAP MVP is not the whole Ateneo Lady Eagles and she needs some vital help here and there.

Valdez started all of Ateneo’s three sets against University of the East on Wednesday and when she got stuck in the backrow in the final moments Kim Gequillana stepped up and provided the offensive punch for the Lady Eagles.

Gequillana started the third set, after a no-show in the first and a cameo in the second, and immediately went to work.

She scored four points overall but was crucial in giving Ateneo the match point.

“Lagi namang ready si Kim,” Valdez said. “Kim’s really adjusting to her role.”

Gequillana became Ateneo’s spark from the reserves and she proved it against UE at San Juan Arena.

While Valdez got stuck in the backrow, it was Gequillana who filled-in as the outside spiker.

“Kailangan talaga ni Kim laging ready, off the bench siya lagi, and she delivers,” Valdez said who is on her final UAAP season. “We’re really proud na ganun ginagawa niya.”