Cheng foregoes graduation ceremony for La Salle victory

Desiree Cheng has hit a fork in the road in her life as a student-athlete.

On one path is the ceremonial graduation ceremonies, and on the other a preliminary game in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament.

Cheng, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management, chose the latter.

“Well, priorities,” said Cheng in Filipino Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre. “This is my priority right now, which is volleyball, and it’s the UAAP. If it was any other league I would’ve skipped the game and marched.”

Cheng, though, is not missing much because she still has another chance to do the graduation march—when she finishes her Marketing course for her Master’s Degree.

“I’m taking my Master’s right now so it’s okay for me to miss the march, I’ll just look forward to the ceremony for this one. I’ll just march in the graduation rites for my Master’s.”

Though Cheng missed the chance to don a toga, the 21-year-old got to experience a hard-fought win over University of the Philippines.

The defending champions trudged in three sets against the Lady Maroons for the 25-21, 25-22, 26-24 victory.

La Salle trailed 24-23 in the payoff moments of the third set when sophomore setter Michelle Cobb worked her magic and scored three straight service aces to push the Lady Spikers to their second straight win.

“I’m fine because we won and it’s a double celebration for me because we won and it was my graduation,” said Cheng who had 10 points against the Lady Maroons.