Almost Another Fairy Tale
It was almost another Cinderella run, except that Cinderella didn’t end up happily ever after with the Prince.
But wait, who would have even thought Cinderella — an underdog, many times looked down upon, laughed at and judged — would come an inch closer to the crown?
Indeed, a loss is a loss and the Ateneo Lady Eagles fell short to the complete and powerful NU Lady Bulldogs with a towering Jaja Santiago in front but for true-blooded fans (and thinking non-fans alike), fighting head-to-head on two five-setters in the Finals has got to be something.
The Ateneo Lady Eagles may have not finished it with a Cinderella-like happy ending but they surely have left all the evil stepsisters stunned with their achievement.
Or shall we say, over-achievement.
They say it isn’t all about whether you reached your destination.
After all, what really matters is the journey. And their journey, ladies and gentlemen, was, indeed, worth it.
Perhaps the most challenging reality the Ateneo Lady Eagles had to face in the recent Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference is going against tough teams without the Phenom, the Queen Eagle, Alyssa Valdez. The girls had to step up, knowing they didn’t have Alyssa Valdez to score. They didn’t have her to just hit it hard during crucial points. They didn’t have her to lead the team and compose the girls when they get rattled. They had been playing with her for how many years, knowing that when the going gets tough, there’s an AV to carry the team.
They missed the talent, the smarts and the leadership of an Alyssa Valdez but they went on point per point, game per game, up to The Finals.
Up to the fifth set of Game 2 of The Finals.
So the number one scorer of the team for the past five years has already left, and her heir apparent happened to be injured. Everyone expected Jho Maraguinot to lead the team in scoring but she missed most of the SVL games due to her leg injury.
So, from their first game down to the semi-finals, she had to patiently force herself to watch the game in the corner, not being able to offer help except for moral support and prayers.
So, the other girls, young and old, rose to the occasion, scored in points here and there, encouraged each other on the court, struggled together and fought hard for each other to reach the Finals.
In the Finals, Jho Maraguinot emerged and joined the team, and together, they lived up to their mantra, giving all of us, ‘One Big Fight.’
Or actually, ‘Two.’ CHOS.
Michelle Morente and Ana Gopico just came back after not being able to play for the previous seasons. Michelle Morente had academic matters to deal with while Ana Gopico had to recover from back-to-back injuries. More than not being able to keep up with the training and the physical conditioning, the seniors had to deal with being mentally and psychologically tough as they went back to court.
It wasn’t that easy, as we saw Mich and Ana struggle in some games. Mich, despite being naturally energetic and happy, had to struggle making points on her off games. Ana also had her off games, especially in the Finals. We even saw the rest of the girls encourage her in one of the huddles when she was struggling to get her hits across.
But in the end, Mich and Ana were among the heroes who stood up, set aside their fears and hesitations and just faced the battle and carried the load.
What a brave comeback for these two, and we couldn’t thank them and applaud them enough for never giving up.
The world may fall apart but no, not Jia Morado.
Jia Morado seemed to be the lone consistent force during the Ateneo struggle in the V-League. She had been the driving force that showed not a sign of panic even at the most crucial points of the game. She had always shown control, composure and well, brilliance. It’s like having someone to hold on to at the most challenging times, and she will always, always live up to the trust.
They say statistics don’t lie. Some say statisticians may lie. But, people of the world, performance doesn’t lie. The Best Setter Award could be yours for all we care but if you have two sharp eyes with 20-20 vision, you could have seen the magic and the genius that is Jia Morado.
To say ‘Jia Morado is gold’ is an understatement.
If being the Best Setter last season and the Best Libero this season doesn’t make much of a statement, we don’t know anymore.
We saw Coach Tai’s brilliance when he converted Gizelle Tan from being a setter to a libero. Seriously, what a massive weapon it is to have a libero who could defend well and set well. And in the case of Gizelle, she couldn’t just set. She could give jaw-dropping sets! She isn’t Best Setter and a Palarong Pambansa MVP for nothing.
Those who have followed her transition could very well say she has improved a lot. Like, a lot. From rolling to diving to jump setting, Gizelle has been the hero of many crucial points.
We were in awe of her pancake saves and perfect sets. What more those who doubted her before? They must be really, really embarrassed.
Haters, it’s okay. You’ll get over the shame.
No, it isn’t just about her surname.
Bea the Lion was the epitome of heart in the Shakey’s V-League series. She was on fire! She poured in the much needed points and provided the much needed boost. Her drive to win was unquestionable and her fighting spirit was indescribable. Her blocks were on point and her quicks, right on the dot. We could only just imagine how she made it easy for Jia to just throw in the ball for the middle hit as her middle blocker was always on the go. And by the way, you seriously have no idea about intensity until you see her make a point.
If she was on fire this pre-season, imagine her come the season.
We’ll get ready for the Girl on Fire. We’ll get ready for you, Bea.
We can’t wait for UAAP. We can’t wait to see you on fire.
She is the go-to service specialist. And a lot more than that.
Kim Gequillana was an image of consistency and chill during games you would even wonder how she’s doing it. Not an ounce of panic, frustration or fear. She would just jump it off, swing it and hit it hard. At the back row, she knew where to place the ball, her target already rattled even before she reaches the ball. And when she gets a point? She just jumps like a darling and celebrates for a quick three seconds. After that, she’s back with her game face, ready to kill any ball she gets to hold.
Ponggay, Ponggay, Ponggay.
Where do we start? With your sharp serves or your crazy dance moves?
Ponggay is the spark plug any team would love to have. During the games, she’d usually make a good start with her on-point service that most of the time gets an ace. And then when she makes a point, she’d usually just maintain her game face, like really, really serious face, like nothing-just-happened face, and if you don’t know her, you’d think she’s that quiet type of a student-athlete who maintains a poker face whenever, wherever.
But hey, when she’s at the sidelines, you’d see all kinds of crazy in Ponggay. From her dance moves to her wackiest faces, Ponggay was the much needed “happy” in the happy-unity-heartstrong Atenean mantra.
To most of us, fans, she may be a source of joy and entertainment but to her teammates, she is most likely a source of motivation and sunshine.
Jules Samonte is a rookie but she played no rookie at all.
Fighting head-to-head with some of the toughest-to-beat blockers and spikers in the collegiate level, this high school graduate showed no sign of hesitation. What a confidence boost it was for her, having been able to block some of the most powerful spikers from UAAP. And did you see her serves and her running spikes?
Seriously can’t wait to see what she will be like as she goes to more intense training under Coach Tai. Won’t be surprised if she becomes a beast in her rookie year.
The second-stringers, despite being second-stringers, were always ready for backup. Jamie Lavitoria and Ria Lo were heroes in crucial matches as they bravely marched into the court, ready to receive each ball. Deanna Wong was fielded in some games and provided quality minutes. Not to mention the energy she brings on the bench. Even Bettina Abella, another rookie, was seen quality minutes in some games where she showed everyone her blocking prowess. Even those injured and on the bleachers like Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino were always present to show support to their teammates.
All of them were ready for the battle.
And they were ever ready to play for one another.
What will the Lady Eagles do without the geniuses of Coach Tai Bundit, Assistant Coach Parley Tupaz and Assistant Coach Sherwin Meneses?
While their roles that we know are those that we see during games, they most definitely orchestrated their tricks and their plays, which led them to the silver medal.
Even Assistant Coach Alyssa Valdez stepped up during crucial parts of the game, when she felt like the girls were losing morale. Even their seniors, the BVR girls, Amy Ahomiro, Bea Tan, Charo Soriano, Dennise Lazaro and Dzi Gervacio were always there to support and cheer for their babies!
All hail to the fans, who, despite the flight of the Queen Eagle who was once the center of this fandom, still trooped to the arena to cheer (and dance) for the girls.
Cheers to Alyfinity, who, with or without Alyssa Valdez on court, with or without Alyssa Valdez on the bench, with or without Alyssa Valdez in Manila, with or without Alyssa Valdez in the Philippines, has always been there for the Lady Eagles.
#TeamBahay #TeamLivestream #TeamAbroad #TeamTwitter #TeamTrabaho, we are all part of their journey.
Indeed, there were others who counted them out early on. There were those who doubted what Ateneo could bring to the table, given that their number one scorer was out of the game.
Ateneo de Manila University was once even branded as Alyssa de Manila University.
Look at them now. Without Alyssa Valdez.
They may have not won the crown but it’s their journey that makes them shine. They may have not won the gold but the lessons they will be bringing to UAAP and in the years to come are priceless.
Because not all Cinderella stories need fairy godmothers.
Unlike Cinderella, the Ateneo Lady Eagles will go through each struggle with each other, get through the victories and heartaches together and will get up after every downfall stronger and tougher.
The Ateneo Lady Eagles will shine at the right time.
But for now, the Lady Eagles, just like Cinderella, will slowly but surely prove the evil sisters wrong.
Because through the hate and the doubts, they will always, always remain “Heartstrong.”
