UE Lady Warriors. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Eager to end their 12-game losing streak, University of the East skipper Ja Lana finally led her team to the win column in their penultimate game in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Red Warriors leaned on the troika of Lana, KC Cepada, and Van Bangayan to survive the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in five sets, 16-25, 25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 15-12, on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“I keep telling my teammates to just try and try because I believe in the saying of “Try and try until you succeed,” said Lana in Filipino after contributing 10 points. “We gave our very best and thought that we have nothing to lose.”
It may be their first win of the season, but for the sophomore spiker, it will be a big boost for their program, which they seek to rise from the bottom with the help of her promising teammates Cepada and Bangayan.
“I really wanted to win because slowly our team is progressing and we want to take it step by step. This win will be a huge boost for us,” Lana said.
UE Lady Red Warriors’ team captain Ja Lana. –UAAP PHOTO
Cepada, who led the way with 19 points, said she is well aware of the criticisms and doubts thrown against UE. But instead of taking it hard, she is using it as fuel to help the Lady Red Warriors reach a certain level of success.
“This win is important to us because many people have been downing us on social media. Coach wanted us to just use it as inspiration instead of taking it to our hearts. We’re taking it as a motivation to work harder,” said the rookie hitter in Filipino.
Cepada also expressed her appreciation to Lana, whom she said has been a good leader to the Lady Warriors.
“She is a reliable leader. She is open to everyone and not biased. She treats us fairly and has been a big help to all of us,” she said.
Amid their first win, UE coach Jumbo Dimaculangan urges his team to end their season on a high note and continue to give their best when they battle top seed La Salle on Saturday at the same venue.
“We all know that La Salle is on top, while we’re still a bottom team. But we won’t lose anything if we play our best, who knows? A warrior should keep on fighting even if they are No. 1 in the standings,” Dimaculangan said in Filipino. “We can’t just give up and say they are La Salle and they are tall. We have to continue fighting for school pride regardless of the result.”
“We have to be brave because this is our last game. At the same time, we will bring our enjoyment from this win going to our final match of the season,” said Lana.
Ja Lana on leading KC Cepada ang the young Lady Red Warriors. #UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/hGL0Desr1c
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 26, 2023