Kim Dy envisions bright future as DLSU enters new era

MANILA, Philippines – With 17 points, quality blocking, and a solid overall performance, Kim Dy cemented her place in UAAP history by leading the DLSU Lady Spikers to the Season 78 title over the Ateneo Lady Eagles and earning Finals MVP recognition on Saturday, April 30.

Even more good news for DLSU is that Dy has two years of playing eligibility left in her college career. So even as core players like Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, and Cyd Demecillo depart after this season, the Lady Spikers still have a star to build around for the future.

(SEE: Netizens pay tribute to graduating stars after La Salle-Ateneo UAAP Finals)

Dy, however, believes that in order for La Salle to maintain its title-contender status, contributions have to come from everyone.

 

Dy makes it 24-14 https://t.co/bxSOQ7Rn0F

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 30, 2016

“Siguro, syempre bagong team, bagong composition nang team, so siguro everyone needs to step up,” she told the media after Game 3.

(I guess, of course the entire team, it’s going to be a new composition, so I guess everyone needs to step up.)

“Baka may iba rin mag step up, so really it’s a team effort, so yun nalang. Training parin.”

(There may be others who step up as well, so it’s really a team effort, that’s it. It’s still about training.)

Besides Dy, talented Lady Spikers like Mary Joy Baron and Dawn Macandili are set to return next season. 

Baron, who was given more responsibilities in her junior campaign, took advantage of increased playing time and was named the Best Blocker in Season 78.

Macandili, who like Dy played for La Salle’s juniors team years ago, was given both the Best Receiver and Best Digger awards.

Similar to Baron, Dy took advantage of more playing time this season that was highlighted by her finals performance, but the 20-year-old still sees room for improvement.

“Siguro ngayon kasi ako binigyan nang opportunity, so we’ll see sa next years siguro,” she said about her play. 

(I guess it’s because I was given an opportunity this season, so we’ll see what happens in the next years.)

“Syempre as a third year, may two years pa ako para mag improve sa mga kulang. 

(Of course, as a junior, I still have two years to improve on what else I need to work on.)

“I shouldn’t be contented with my performance this season.”

Hunger

La Salle dominated the last two sets against Ateneo in Game 3, but it was actually the Lady Eagles who looked poised for victory early in the match. Ateneo opened the first set 10-1 en route to a 25-21 win, and tied with DLSU late in the second set before the Lady Spikers were able to knot the game at 1-1.

The ability to bounce back was a common theme for DLSU this season, where the team lost first-round games to NU and UST, a second-round game to Ateneo, in the Final Four round against FEU, and Game 2 of the finals against Ateneo.

(IN PHOTOS: Smiles, tears as La Salle wins UAAP volleyball title)

Those last two defeats against the Lady Tamaraws and Lady Eagles were games where the Lady Spikers even won the first two sets. 

“I think pinakita namin na talagng we really wanted to win. Kasi kahit, alam mo, nag start kami may mga talo, ganon,” Dy said, “and, parang, coming from a loss rin yung Game 2, siguro pinakita [parin] namin talaga na gusto namin manalo this year.”

(I think we showed that we really wanted to win. Because even if we started with some losses and even if we were coming from a loss in Game 2, I guess we still showed we just wanted to win this year.)

 

Kim Dy ends it. It’s over! https://t.co/KfsNUW8Utg

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 30, 2016

Dy lauded the whole team’s effort, even declaring that she wouldn’t mind sharing the Finals MVP recognition with teammates.

“This Finals MVP, it’s just a bonus award. I think, siguro (I guess), if there were many more, I think everyone in the team deserves this Finals MVP.” – Rappler.com