By MARK REY MONTEJO
Ateneo rose to the occasion and defied the challenges early in the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament, scoring its first win after a three-set triumph over its Katipunan neighbor University of the Philippines Sunday, Feb. 23.
After losing in their last two games, the Blue Eagles mustered enough strength and listed a 25-18, 25-22, 25-18 victory over the Fighting Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Despite being sidelined from Ateneo’s first two contests due to a minor injury, outside hitter Sobe Buena showed no signs of rust as she starred with 17 points off 15 kills, one block and one ace to lead the Eagles.
“I think I just tried to make the most out of this game because I wasn’t able to help my teammates in those first two games,” said Buena.
“So, my mindset going into this game was really just to give my all and really be able to be a good teammate to all of my teammates,” she added.
Buena dedicated her game to the whole Ateneo community including its injured players in Jlo delos Santos and Zel Tsunashima.
“I think we’re really very motivated, now more so even, because as I said, we’re not just playing for ourselves, we’re also playing for the Ateneo community, we’re playing for Zel and JLo,” Buena continued.
“And I think that’s really something that we can get our strength from. That’s really something that we can keep working hard towards,” she added. “Just to try to make the final four and help each other along the way.”
