Lyann de Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
Ateneo wrapped up its UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on a high note at the expense of Adamson, 25-13, 25-17, 25-21, on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blue Eagle Lyann de Guzman soared with 14 attack points to lift Ateneo just a spot below the Final Four teams at No. 5 with a 5-9 record–a much better finish than it accomplished in Season 85.
“For me, naging sobrang successful [yung season namin] compared last year kasi ngayon nakita namin yung progress namin every game,” said De Guzman who has yet to decide whether she will stay with Ateneo or opt to go pro.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
“Nakikita namin na may improvement within the team and individually and for me sobrang naging effective yung sistema samin ni coach [Sergio Veloso] na need lang talaga namin siya sundin at magi-improve talaga kami,” De Guzman added.
Sobe Buena assisted De Guzman with eight points while graduating libero captain Roma Doromal guarded the Blue Eagle den with nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
The Blue Eagles thank their supporters. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xM86Ece5SQ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 24, 2024
“Sobrang proud ako kasi nakita ko yung progress ng teammates ko na lahat kami from preseason pa to first round and then second round,” Doromal said. “Nakita ko talaga yung progress ng team and yung improvement … and thankful din ako na nag-stay ako and na-help ko pa sila for this season.”
“I’ll go pro, but let’s see kung saan,” Doromal revealed when asked of her plans after exhausting her playing years in the league.
READ: UAAP volleyball: Sergio Veloso preaches ‘strong mindset’ to Ateneo
Already out of Final Four contention, both teams made the match as close as they could as Adamson coach JP Yude fielded every Lady Falcon—and everyone contributed in the losing stand.
After losing the opening frame, Adamson worked to level the game and led early in the second frame but Ateneo was motivated to regain control of that set and bounce back from its previous loss against bitter rival La Salle on Sunday.
Graduating Ateneo Blue Eagles player Roma Mae Doromal. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Nung nag-decide ako mag-stay, hinanap ko talaga yung purpose ko and staying [with them] nakita ko yung purpose ko na i-help sila,” Doromal said. “As a libero din, yun lang naman talaga yung support na mag-give ko eh.
“Hindi ako makaka-give ng points but andun ako sa kanila all the way so yun siguro yung pinaka-success for me, yung na-help ko sila mag-grow sa bagong system.”
The Lady Falcons, who gave up self-destructive 32 errors, led again early in the third set before Buena tied the game at 18-all and Ishie Lalongisip’s net error gave Ateneo the lead.
Ateneo did not let go of their advantage this time as De Guzman unloaded a down the line kill that graduating Adamson captain Lucille Almonte was not able to control and the Blue Eagles led by three, 23-20.
AA Adolfo scored her third point with a cross-court hit to try and keep Adamson in the game before middle blocker AC Miner brought Ateneo to match point and Almonte’s crucial error that brought her UAAP campaign to a close.
“I am so happy because this is our last match and the team played very well,” Veloso said. “It doesn’t matter because we cannot cross to the top four but we landed in position five, better than last year; it’s one of our targets.”
“But the most important is how the players improved in this season, this tournament. I think [we had] a very good second round and everybody can see how our team played together in the team system and consistent,’ Veloso added.