Gequillana ‘flattered’ to be Ateneo’s ‘closer’

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo outside hitter Kim Gequillana said Sunday she’s honored that spectators see her as the Lady Eagles’ designated closer in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament.

Gequillana never started a game for the Lady Eagles this season but always found her place when Ateneo is set to finish off things in the latter sets. 

“Well I’m flattered that people call me as a closer but everything, for me, is still a team effort,” said Gequillana, who finished things off for the Lady Eagles as they grounded Adamson University 25-13, 25-13, 25-11, for their 10th win in 12 games. 

Gequillana played a vital role in Ateneo’s romp of the Lady Falcons in the third set when she stayed at the service line for 16 straight possessions as the Lady Eagles built a 16-0 lead.

“I wanted to show my responsibility as the one who serves for the team in closing sets,” said Gequillana. “That’s my opportunity and I wanted to maximize things.”

The UAAP record for the largest lead at the start of a set is University of Santo Tomas’ 21-0 period against University of Santo Tomas, and Gequillana admitted she was aware of the record but she got the jitters when she knew she was closing in on the figure. 

Gequillana’s 17th service went out of bounds awarding Adamson its first point in the third set.

“I remembered the record but I got pressured when I was on my 17th attempt, so when the score started to build up, the pressure too started to rise up,” said Gequillana.