Coach Ramil De Jesus downplayed La Salle's winning streak against Ateneo after their straight-sets victory in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 2.
The winning ways continue for the De La Salle Lady Spikers over the Ateneo Blue Eagles after another straight-set victory on Saturday, March 2.
But while the victory made it 13 in a row for La Salle over their arch-rivals, coach Ramil De Jesus is not one to emphasize their head-to-head battles.
“Nataon lang na ganun kahaba 'yung winning tradition namin dun sa Ateneo,” De Jesus said during the post-game press conference. “Siguro, hindi palang ito 'yung time para siguro manalo sila sa amin.”
The 12-time UAAP champion coach even praised the young Ateneo team, who kept the game close against La Salle in the second set.
“Actually, very promising 'yung team nila. Hindi mo puwedeng biru-biruin, so kailangan talaga every sets paghandaan mo, magbigay ka ng respeto,” said De Jesus.
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While Ateneo’s glory days are long over from the team's final title in Season 81, the Katipunan-based squad still boast several promising players on the team.
Among those is Lyann De Guzman, who finished as the lone double-digit score for the Blue Eagles with 15 points built on 13 spikes, one block, and one ace.
Ateneo also has promising setters and liberos in KC Cortez and Sarah Hugo, who are already making a mark in the UAAP in their rookie year.
As the season progresses, the Blue Eagles will only look to improve even further—and maybe one day, they can get back to the UAAP mountaintop.