The Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles have stunned everyone this season after claiming the first spot in the standings
By Nicole Ganglani | Photo by Tristan Tamayo/Inquirer.net
In an exhilarating match against the Adamson University Lady Falcons yesterday, Ateneo de Manila University’s Bea de Leon racked up 14 points in six attacks, four blocks, and four aces. Which isn’t surprising—throughout her UAAP career, Bea de Leon has always been an outstanding player
This UAAP season obviously means a lot to de Leon, especially since it’s her last in the collegiate league. One more season playing for the team that turned her into one of the best middle blockers of all time. De Leon started the season averaging six points, but arguably her strengths are most evident in the way she has slowly but surely led the Lady Eagles to the top. After every point in the past games, you see the veteran cheering on her teammates and diving for every loose ball.
“Coach always says to me ‘I don’t always need your points, I just need your voice,” de Leon told reporters Wednesday coming off a win against the Lady Falcons.
The 5’11 star player from St. Pedro Poveda College has taken a different role in the past two years and it’s finally working as Ateneo sits on top of the rankings this season. This might come as a surprise to many fans, especially those who are expecting the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers to four-peat this season.
But based on their strong start, it looks like Ateneo isn’t going to let that happen. The Katipunan squad trained all year for this season, even joining the Philippine Super Liga tournament to gain more experience and to improve their on-court chemistry. Clearly, there’s nothing de Leon and her team want more than to bring the trophy back to Katipunan Avenue.
The UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament has always been unpredictable, and this season isn’t an exception: No one expected the Lady Spikers to drop two straight games in the first round the same way no one thought the Lady Eagles would come out number one in the standings
But despite this impressive start, the Lady Eagles know that the road to winning the championship won’t be an easy one. There’s still a lot of obstacles hanging around this year’s thrilling volleyball tournament especially since the DLSU Lady Spikers—their biggest rivals—have set their eyes on a four-peat. The only loss the Lady Eagles have incurred so far was in a match against the Lady Spikers, who, in the past week, have racked up two losses in a row.
The UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament has always been unpredictable, and this season isn’t an exception: No one expected the Lady Spikers to drop two straight games in the first round the same way no one thought the Lady Eagles would come out number one in the standings. But if the past few games are any indication of what’s yet to come, Bea de Leon and the Lady Eagles may just have a chance to end the Lady Spikers’ reign.
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