Despite twice-to-beat edge, Lady Eagles know competition in Final 4 a different beast

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo’s title hopes got a bit of a boost after it clinched the twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Lady Eagles clinched one of the top two spots in the tournament after they swept aside Adamson University, 25-16, 28-26, 25-17, Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Center to get to an 11-2 record.

Despite the twice-to-beat advantage in their grasp, the Lady Eagles know that the Final Four is an all too different playing field.

READ: UAAP volleyball: Ateneo nabs twice-to-beat after blanking of Adamson

“The twice-to-beat advantage is supposed to be less pressure but just because we’re no.1 in the eliminations it doesn’t mean we’re going to do well in the playoffs,” said Kat Tolentino.

“The mindset is finishing off the eliminations and refocusing to go all out for the playoffs, every team will give it their all,” added Tolentino who finished with 17 points.

Ateneo still has to go through University of the East, which holds a 3-10 record at the no.7 spot, in its final game of the eliminations.

READ:Refusing to dwell on La Salle loss, Ateneo gets back on track 

Maddie Madayag said that they first have to take care of the Lady Warriors before they start to fully focus on the semifinals.

“We should take every game seriously,” said Madayag who had 13 points against the Lady Falcons. “We should not think of the following games, we should focus on who well face next because we’re not going to finish right if we’re not focused on our next opponent.”