Madayag, Ateneo ‘confident’ ahead of Final 4 despite not having twice-to-beat

Maddie Madayag. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

For the first time in five seasons Ateneo won’t be having a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, but that doesn’t deter captain Maddie Madayag from beaming her confident aura.

The Lady Eagles missed their chance for a second seed playoff against Far Eastern University when they lost to defending champion De La Salle in the final game of the eliminations, 26-24, 25-17, 25-19, Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo settled for the third spot in the standings with a 9-5 record, its worst record in six years, but that doesn’t shake Madayag’s confidence one bit.

“We’re going to be confident despite the loss, we just need to play happy,” said Madayag, who had eight points in the game.

Ateneo’s loss against the Lady Spikers were also its second straight at the end of the eliminations when the Lady Eagles suffered a three-set loss against University of the Philippines in the match prior against La Salle.

Madayag, even though Ateneo has the twice-to-win disadvantage in the Final Four, added they won’t take FEU lightly.

The Lady Tamaraws ended elimination round on a five-game winning streak, a direct inverse of what the Lady Eagles mustered.

“We won’t be complacent because FEU is a really strong team,” said Madayag in Filipino. “They’ve been winning constantly and they’re on the rise right now.”

“In the week before the semifinals we will all be focusing on volleyball.”