1st or 2nd Best Middle Blocker ‘doesn’t matter’ for Oliver Almadro, title-seeking Ateneo

Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro cleared the air following the unwarranted controversy surrounding this season’s individual awards.

National University’s Roselyn Doria was named the first Best Middle Blocker while the Lady Eagles’ Maddie Madayag took home the second Best Middle Blocker plum of the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.

Almadro said that he explained it to Madayag and that his graduating middle blocker understood what happened.

“First or second Best Middle Blocker, it doesn’t matter. At least, we got one and that’s what we’re thankful for that one of our players were still recognized,” said Almadro Saturday just before the start of Game 1 of the UAAP Finals between University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo.

Ateneo fans cried foul after Doria was given the higher nod than Madayag after a couple of sports reporters, who cover the UAAP questioned the awarding process.

Doria was second in blocking with an average of 0.69 blocks per set or a total of 37 kill blocks but it was Madayag who led the league, numbers-wise, with 0.86 kill blocks per frame and a total of 44 kill blocks.

Almadro said it’s not a big deal for them if Madayag was the first or second since they’re more concerned with the championship than with anything else.

“It’s not a big deal, the important thing for us is the championship,” said Almadro, whose Lady Eagles are searching for their first title since 2015.

“What we want is to become the champion. If there’s an award on our side, then, that’s just a bonus.”