NU Lady Bulldogs’ Abe Pono.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Abe Pono has been proving her worth as a solid backup setter for National University after a solid week in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
The rookie playmaker provided quality minutes anew to help the Lady Bulldogs win their fifth straight game, sweeping the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-13, 25-19, 25-16, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I always keep in my mind that when Ate Lams [Lamina] needs backup, I should fill up her role as a setter. I want to prove to my teammates that I can also fill in the role of Ate Lams,” said Pono in Filipino after tallying eight excellent sets on top of three points playing in the last two sets.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
Pono, the UAAP girls’ Season 85 Finals MVP and Best Setter when Nazareth School emerged as champion, shared that Lamina has been reminding her to stay calm and keep smiling whenever she enters the court.
NU coach Norman Miguel was hardly surprised by Pono’s impressive showing off the bench after emerging as the player of the game in their four-set win over Far Eastern University last Wednesday when she tallied seven excellent sets and two blocks.
“We know her capacity and skills even though she’s a rookie. You can’t discount her skills and we’re happy that she’s been proving her worth in helping the team. She was a game changer last game,” Miguel said in Filipino.
Bella Belen also praised Pono’s connection with Lamina.
“I saw how Abe has been working hard in training. She is eager to step up during games and can back up Lams. We’re in good hands in Abe because, since high school, I know that she has a good future in volleyball,” said the Season 84 rookie MVP.
Pono promises to stay ready for NU, which won five straight games since losing to the University of Santo Tomas in the opening weekend, remaining eager to improve her playmaking.
“Actually, in the game earlier, it wasn’t my real game. I still want to show more for my team,” Pono said as NU braces for defending champion La Salle on Saturday next week at Smart Araneta Coliseum.