Jho Maraguinot, rest of Lady Eagles offer Game 2 win to seniors

Danielle Nakpil

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Jho Maraguinot, rest of Lady Eagles offer Game 2 win to seniors

Josh Albelda/ABS-CBN

The Lady Eagles dedicate their Game 2 win to their graduating seniors Alyssa Valdez and Amy Ahomiro, who will play their last UAAP game on Saturday

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Lady Eagles dedicated their Game 2 victory over the De La Salle Lady Spikers to their two graduating seniors – Alyssa Valdez and Amy Ahomiro – as they force a deciding Game 3 in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball finals.

‘For Ate Ly’

The defending champions started to feel the pressure of the title slipping through their fingers as La Salle opened the third set in an aggressive fashion. Ateneo almost snatched the second set, 28-26, but DLSU managed to sustain charge.

Aside from two-time MVP Alyssa Valdez who exploded with a game high of 34 points, another ace player Jhoana Maraguinot, helped boost her squad despite the 2-0 deficit, dedicating their game to their graduating teammates.

The Lady Eagles will be losing two of their key players, phenom Alyssa Valdez and Season 77 Finals MVP Amy Ahomiro to graduation this year.

“Sabi namin, kailangan naming lumaban. Ang mindset namin ay para kina Ate Ly ‘to. So kailangan naming lumaban para sa kanila at para sa isa’t-isa,” Maraguinot said.

(We told ourselves we needed to fight. Our mindset is to offer the game to Ate Ly. We needed to fight for them and for each other.)

The outside hitter finished with 15 points consisting of 13 attacks to help lift her team as Bea De Leon pitched in 15 markers.

“Basta ang iniisip ko lang, kailangan ko talagang lumaban. Kailangan magtiwala lang ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko. Everything will follow,” Maraguinot added.

(I thought that I really needed to fight. I had to be confident that I can do it and everything will follow.)

Maraguinot on playing defense

It is no secret to everyone on how Ateneo has struggled with their floor coverage the entire season. It’s become their weakness which La Salle preyed on in the first round of eliminations. Ateneo fell to them in 3 sets.

To keep their defense alive yesterday, Maraguinot stood up and became a major player.

“Hindi ko focus yung atake kasi mindset ko, dedepensa ako tapos si Ate Ly na bahala sa atake kasi kaya na niya ‘yon. Pero kailangan talaga naming magtulung-tulong sa depensa.”

(I didn’t focus on the attacking. My mindset is to defend then let Ate Ly take over the offense. We really needed to help each other with the defending.)

The De La Salle Lipa alum recorded 17 excellent receptions, helping libero Gizelle Tan who registered 23.

‘Heartstrong’ Ateneo in do-or-die

According to Maraguinot, what kept them holding on down to the most crucial points is their team’s “heartstrong” spirit.

“Siguro nasa pagka heartstrong nalang ‘yon. Kasi sa training palang, ginagawa na namin ‘yon. Hindi talaga pwedeng bumigay,” she said on their endurance in the final sets.

(It’s our being heartstrong. Even during trainings, we already practice that. We can’t give up.)

The 5-foot-7 spiker said that they will hold on until the fight’s over.

“Kanina sabi sa amin, hanggang hindi pa tapos, hanggang hindi pa nakaka three sets ‘yong kalaban, hindi pa tapos. Kapit lang.”

(We were told that not until the game’s done, not until the opponent has won 3 sets, the fight’s not yet over. Just hold on.)

It’s either the crown will be defended or the league may welcome a new champion on Saturday. But whoever wins, it is sure that everyone’s going to fight their hearts out most especially the veterans of both teams who’ll play their final game in the UAAP. – Rappler.com

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