UAAP: Lyann De Guzman shines anew, Ateneo teammates also deliver

Ateneo’s Lyann De Guzman during a game against UP in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo’s Lyann De Guzman sustained her stellar play in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball eliminations.

One of the few bright spots for the Blue Eagles in their poor first-round campaign, De Guzman helped her team get off to a promising start at the resumption of the tournament with a gutsy win over University of the Philippines.

The star spiker spearheaded Ateneo’s thrilling 15-25, 25-23, 27-25, 30-32, 16-14 win over UP Arena on Saturday but De Guzman chose to give more credit to her teammates.

READ: UAAP: Ateneo extends dominance over UP with five-set escape

“I told them to give it their all and we gave our 110 percent. We wouldn’t have gotten this win if we didn’t work for it. I’m very proud of my teammates because they showed that they can win,” said De Guzman.

“Whoever coach (Sergio Veloso) called on, they stepped up.”

De Guzman finished with a game-high 25 points built on 23 attacks and a service ace as a cherry on top.

UP didn’t budge so easily, though, with Nina Ytang unloading 24 points to try and combat De Guzman’s monster outing.

READ: UAAP: Hard-fighting Ateneo sees light at end of first round

Fortunately for Ateneo, everyone else came to play.

AC Miner flexed her muscles for 19 points while the troika of Zey Pacia, Jihan Chuatico and Yvana Sulit contributed with 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

With the win, the injury-depleted but hard-fighting Blue Eagles created a three-way tie for the fifth with UP and Adamson with identical 3-5 records.

“I can see that my teammates embrace whatever role they’re given, especially since we’re down to 11. We need to be ready all the time, wherever coach puts us.”