Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Desiree Cheng only wanted one thing when she made her return to La Salle this year.
Cheng missed the entire 78th Season of the UAAP due to torn left ACL.
“All I hoped for is the big trophy, the championship,” Cheng said.
On Saturday, Cheng got her wish after helping the Lady Spikers win the title following a five-set win over the Ateneo Lady Eagles to sweep their best-of-three Finals duel.
Cheng also got more than what she had wanted after being named as the Finals MVP of the series.
READ: La Salle’s Desiree Cheng is UAAP Season 79 Finals MVP
She poured in 12 points in Game 2 while also netting 13 excellent receptions and 12 digs.
Her head coach Ramil de Jesus said he saw how hard Cheng worked and how vital her play was to La Salle’s successful title defense.
“I really saw that her reception was vital in helping the team. That allowed Kim Fajardo to set up our plays,” he said.
De Jesus said he reminded his players to avoid complacency and go for the sweep.
“I told the players that I didn’t want this to go to a Game 3, so I told them that they have to believe that we can close this out today. Whatever one wants, everybody has to want it,” he said.
Truly, the returning Cheng and the rest of the Lady Spikers delivered.
“I’m really super happy and all of this is because of coach,” she said.