Ateneo ‘lacked killer instinct in Game 1’

ATENEO star Alyssa Valdez gets triple coverage from a solid La Salle defense in Game 1. The Lady Spikers dominated in blocks, 13-2. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

AFTER figuring out what went wrong, Ateneo hopes to have fun again in the UAAP women’s volleyball championship.

“We really need to loosen up as a team,” said Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez, who’s set to receive her third straight Most Valuable Player award. “We just have to enjoy the game, be happy, play for our teammates, coaches and the people who support us.”

The Lady Eagles surprisingly got whipped in straight sets by fierce rival La Salle, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21, in the series opener last Saturday.

But the defending champions look to forge a winner-take-all in Game 2 of the best-of-three series tomorrow at Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo middle blocker Bea de Leon said the Lady Eagles need to adjust to the Lady Spikers’ strong blocking game.

“It’s clear in the stats, we didn’t do well in blocking,” said De Leon as the Lady Spikers clobbered them, 13-2, on blocks in Game 1. “We need to go back to basics, the small details.”

Ateneo vies to defend its double crown in the men and women’s divisions.

The Blue Eagles moved within a win of a second straight title after dispatching National University, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18, in Game 1 of the men’s showdown.

But the Lady Eagles, who are aiming for a third straight championship, had an uncharacteristic meltdown where they blew big leads in every set.

“Maybe we lacked self-confidence, the killer instinct,” said Valdez. “But on to the next game. That’s the goal.”