Maraguinot not returning to Ateneo next year

Another integral figure in Ateneo’s Season 77 triumph has left the Lady Eagles’ roost.

After head coach Tai Bundit coached his final game for Ateneo  on Saturday, it also turned out to be Jhoana Maraguinot’s match as a Lady Eagle.

Although unceremonious after a four-set loss to Far Eastern University, Maraguinot said her exit in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament was just fate intervening.

“Maybe it just what’s meant to be but I know my teammates will be better next year,” said Maragunot in Filipino Saturday after the 25-20, 25-21, 14-25, 25-19 setback. “I’m graduating, I have one more, but I think I’m done.”

Maraguinot was one of the players’ who helped Alyssa Valdez in the Lady Eagles’ championship run in Season 77, a year where Ateneo lost just five sets in total.

The graduating Lady Eagle from Alitagtag, Batangas added that she wants those who have watched her grow in Ateneo to remember her as someone who never gave up no matter what.

“I admit that I wasn’t like this before, this wasn’t my character,” said Maraguinot who had 11 points in her swan song.

Maraguinot credited her change to how Bundit handled the team in the five years the Thai head coach headed the Lady Eagles.

“Coach Tai taught us ‘heart strong’ he taught us that giving up was never an option.”