Third-year hitter Sobe Buena made up for lost time with Ateneo as she chipped in 17 points in their breakthrough win over UP in UAAP Season 87.
Sobe Buena made sure to make it count as she made her season debut for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a blistering three-set win over the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, for their first victory in UAAP Season 87 on Sunday.
After missing out on the first two games of the year due to a nagging injury, Buena welcomed her third year with a bang, taking Player of the Game honors in the breakthrough victory for the Blue Eagles.
[RELATED: Ateneo Blue Eagles barge into UAAP Season 87 win column with shock sweep over UP]
Understanding how badly Ateneo needs her offense following injuries to key players in the offseason and in the opening weekend, Buena was just happy to be able to fill in the gaps.
“I think I just tried to make the most out of this game kasi nga I wasn’t able to help my teammates in those first two games so my mindset going to this game was really just to give my all and able to be a good teammate to all of my teammates,” said Buena, who provided the finishing blow in set 3 against UP and finished with 17 points.
"Kasi we all work really hard in training and we all really sacrifice a lot to be here so I guess I just wanted to make the best out of everything we sacrificed and just play my game.”
Buena backstopped veteran hitter Lyann De Guzman, who ended up with 14 markers of her own, and Yvana Sulit who added nine points.
Though there still remains a long season to go, Buena said that they remain motivated, especially since they are playing for their injured teammates.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Blue Eagles will keep on fighting.
“I think we’re really very motivated like now more so even kasi as I said, we’re not just playing for ourselves, we’re also playing for the Ateneo community, we’re playing for Zel [Tsunashima] and JLo [Delos Santos],” said Buena.
“I think that’s really something na we can get our strength from, it’s really something na we can keep working hard towards as we try to make the Final Four and help each other along the way,” she added.
The Blue Eagles face another tough test next when they play the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, March 2, still at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ateneo currently tout a 1-2 slate.