Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Head coach: Tai Bundit
Last season: 12-2
Key losses: Alyssa Valdez
Key additions: Mich Morente (returnee)
There was a time when Alyssa Valdez was always there for Ateneo, but that time has passed and its now up to her underlings to fill in the massive void she left.
Valdez was the heart and soul of the Lady Eagles, who won two championships with the three-time UAAP MVP leading the way.
And now that Valdez has left, Bea De Leon and company have some filling in to do.
Valdez’ credentials are obviously on another level but the Lady Eagles are determined to parade their “balanced” offense address the gaping hole she left.
“Even before we’d expect to go to Aly [Valdez] but the flow has changed and the stats have been spread out,” said De Leon.
It’s undeniable that Valdez has carried the bulk of Ateneo’s offense during her final year where she was the team’s leading scorer in all of their games, and now that their former leader is gone it’s their collective job to match the output of a single person.
“It’s a lot harder to figure out who’s going to spike and team-wise a lot of people are stepping up and finding their roles, so it’s more balanced now,” said De Leon.
Ateneo’s spunky middle blocker added that Ateneo’s return to championship glory after losing to La Salle in the Finals in Season 78, starts with looking at the brighter side of things.
Even though Valdez is gone, De Leon said a spread-out offense could make them a better team.
“Our offense is very equal, so we’re on the same level,” said De Leon. “We can look at it in that sense and that will make us a better team.”