UAAP: UE duo of Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan show promise in loss

UE Lady Warriors’ Khy Cepada during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game against UP Fighting Maroons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Khy Cepada made a potent pair with Van Bangayan to lead the charge for the rebuilding University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

Just like the old times, UE turned to Cepada and Bangayan to rise from a 0-2 deficit against the University of the Philippines, which is the new home of its former players led by Casiey Dongallo. 

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

However, the Lady Warriors fell short ,18-25, 24-26, 26-24, 25-13, 13-15, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Cepada, who has embraced the leadership role for the depleted UE, poured 24 points with high school teammate, Bangayan, back by her side.

UE Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Sobrang saya kasi go-to person ko din po siya. Seven years na kami magkasama. Iba pa rin yung bond kahit kakabalik pa lang, may tiwala po ako sa kanya na gagawin niya po yung best niya. Hindi lang sa sarili niya, kung hindi para sa team,” said Cepada, a product of UST high school with Bangayan.

Last year, Bangayan played for UE’s beach volleyball team while Dongallo and California Academy products became the core members of the squad.

READ: UAAP: UP staves off UE rally in women’s volleyball opener

Despite being years away from indoor action, Bangayan hardly missed a beat and backstopped Cepada with 17 points.

“Nashock ako sa 17 kasi tinutulungan ko lang yung nasa loob ng court. As much as possible, lalo na po sa opensa kasi yun yung talagang kailangan namin,” Bangayan said.

“Sa mga susunod na games siguro mas magjejell pa ako sa teammates ko kasi one month pa lang ako nagtetraining sa kanila. Kukunin ko yung tiwala ng buong team.”

READ: UAAP: UE Lady Warriors move past ‘heartbreaking’ exodus of players

Although she is still adjusting, Bangayan added that beach volleyball made her a faster player and she promises to do better in their future games.

Cepada, who is back as the main gunner of UE,  also promises to do everything to give the Lady Warriors the much-needed lift, now that she has her longtime teammate on her side. 

“Inisip ko din po, kung hindi ako, sino pa? I took that role, in-embrace ko kasi it’s for the betterment naman of the team,” she said.