By CARLO ANOLIN
La Salle rookie sensation Alleiah Malaluan keeps a laser-sharp focus heading into Game 1 of the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball Finals on Saturday, June 18.
Malaluan, who spearheaded the Lady Spikers with 16 points against rival and defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles in the stepladder semis, reminded herself and her teammates that the season is far from over as they prepare for the biggest challenge yet against the unbeaten National University Lady Bulldogs.
“Entering the Finals, mindset ko is hindi pa po tapos ‘yong season,” said Malaluan after De La Salle swept Ateneo, 25-19, 25-20, 25-23, Thursday, June 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Kailangan pa namin mag-work hard for the ates and the coaches and sa mga people na nagsu-support samin and also sa La Sallian community.”
Despite being a newcomer, Malaluan had gained a pivotal role, becoming a consistent scoring machine for the Lady Spikers.
In her UAAP debut, the 19-year-old Malaluan finished fifth among the top scorers with 193 points after the elimination round.
And heading into the Finals, the former De La Salle-Zobel standout continues to dedicate her game to the green and white with the help of Jolina Dela Cruz, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, to name a few.
“‘Di pa kami tapos. Kailangan pa namin magtiyaga and everything that we need to do when it comes to the game [against NU],” she added.
La Salle barged into the Finals for the first time since winning the UAAP title in Season 80 with a 2-0 sweep over Far Eastern University.
