Alyssa Valdez all praise for Gequillana, Gaston sisters

MANILA, Philippines – After easily sweeping the UE Lady Warriors, the Ateneo Lady Eagles won their fifth straight game in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament and currently own a 11-2 record in the league standings, which is first overall.

Valdez, Ateneo’s team captain, scored 17 points in the win while rising star Jhoana Maraguinot scored 13 as the two led their team in scoring. 

Looking down at the game’s stat sheet, Kim Gequillana had 4 points off the bench for the Lady Eagles while the Gaston sisters, Pauline and Therese, combined for 5 in the win.

Even if the 3  players didn’t rack up a high amount of conversions, nor are considered Ateneo’s immediate threats, the trio still received praise from the graduating Valdez during the post-game press conference.

“Syempre, lagi naman ready si Kim eh….Since second round lagi na siyang linalaro,” she said about the standout from St John’s Institute in Bacolod.

“Siguro Kim’s role and Kim’s really adjusting on her role. Parang ‘yun kasi talaga yung kailangan talaga ni Kim na, laging ready.”

(Of course, Kim is always ready….Since the second round she’s always being played. I guess it’s Kim’s role and she’s adjusting to her role. That’s really what we need from Kim, to always be ready.)

Valdez specified how Gequillana plays well despite coming off the bench and provides a spark for the Lady Eagles. The reigning UAAP MVP also feels the more confidence Gequillana gains, the better for the future of Ateneo.

“Off the bench lagi eh. Hindi naman siya all the time na first 6. And then she delivers. So we’re really happy for Kim also and we’re really proud na ganyan yung ginagawa niya,” said Valdez.

“I hope maging stepping stone ni Kim to para ma gain niya pa ‘yung confidence niya na kailangan niya for mga upcoming tournaments namin.”

(She’s always off the bench. She’s now always with the first 6….We’re really proud that’s how she’s performing. I hope this becomes a stepping stone for Kim so that she gains the confidence she needs for our upcoming tournaments.)

When asked about the blissful charisma of the Gaston sisters, the first thing Valdez said was “Yeah, they’re so cute, di ba (right)?

“‘Yan talaga ‘yung sinabi ko. Hindi. Super jolly kasi nung dalawang yun. (Yeah, they’re so cute right? That’s really what I said. The two are just really jolly).”

“They’re focused, of course, they’re focused inside the court,” added Valdez, who did say that the positive attitude of Therese and Pauline spreads to the entire team. 

“But, you know, the feeling, ‘yung nadadala nila na mood inside the court, it’s nakaka-influence talaga sa buong team. It’s very light and I hope na magtuloy-tuloy yung performance nila. They’re really doing good as far as ngayon pa lang din sila naglalaro.”

(They bring their mood inside the court. It really influences the entire team. It’s very light and I hope their performance continues to improve. They’re really doing good even if they’re playing just now.)

The Lady Eagles are back in action on Sunday, April 10, when they take on the DLSU Lady Spikers. – Rappler.com