UAAP Season 79 has started yet we still have to wait for almost 4-6 months before we see the Volleybelles coming from different UAAP member school battle in the court. But for next month, UAAP Beach Volleyball Tournament will be conducted.
Before we see some volleyball actions in the UAAP, let me give you some list of Renowned Philippine Volleyball Players coming from the member schools of UAAP.
DISCLAIMER: Those players are former, current players and notable players of each UAAP school.
Let me start with the ADAMSON LADY FALCONS.
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ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY LADY EAGLES
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DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY LADY SPIKERS
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FEU LADY TAMARAWS
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LADY BULLDOGS
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UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST LADY WARRIORS
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UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES FIGHTING LADY MAROONS
Another UAAP Season has finished and another one is yet coming on our way. The 78th season of UAAP is over yet the Season 79 is fast approaching. According to my random sources, September 3 is the inauguration of another UAAP Season.
New season, new era for the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Last season they were dethroned by their rival, De La Salle University ,stopping them for claiming their 3rd straight UAAP Volleyball Crown. Aside from finishing as runners-up last season, the Lady Eagles will face a new challenge, a challenge of fulfilling the era made by Alyssa Valdez in their University. Valdez and her squad earned their first UAAP Volleyball crown wayback in Season 76 were they beat DLSU Lady Spikers thrice in the Finals.
Credits to the Owner
Some netizens already predicted that the Valdez-less Lady Eagles of Katipunan might descend in terms of their rankings in UAAP. Others would doubt the Lady Eagles, “Wala na si Valdez, Nga-nga na ang Ateneo“. But for me, as fan I’m still looking for improvements for the Lady Eagles. Yes, they might loss Alyssa Valdez but there are still options for Coach Tai Bundit to choose from. Remember, Michelle Morente and Ana Gopico will have a comeback this Season 79. Gopico who has her injury wayback in her Rookie year and Morente who skipped Season 78 for Academic purposes. Jho Maraguinot is still there for Ateneo, she proved last season that she can be next Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo, hoping she’ll play better next season. They key for winning for Ateneo isn’t always because of Alyssa Valdez, we should give credit to the senior setter, Jia Morado, former UAAP Best Setter. With Morado remains in the team with seniors Morente, Gopico, Maraguinot and Junior De Leon, we’re still hoping that the Ateneo Lady Eagles we saw in the past seasons would remain the same even though there is no Alyssa Valdez in the team.
POST-VALDEZ ERA
No Alyssa Valdez, It can be a big problem for Ateneo if those senior players would not step up for the team this season. Yes, Ateneo has a good setter but they need a consistent player that can fill up the role left by Alyssa Valdez. Jhoana Maraguinot, Michelle Morente, Bea De Leon, Ana Gopico, and Kim Gequillana, one of them should step up or should I say also, that all of them should step up if they want to reclaim the UAAP Women’s Volleyball crown.
Aside from losing an offensive player like Valdez, Ateneo Lady Eagles should also focus on their floor defense. It’s been their problem after the graduation of UAAP Season 76 Best Digger and Receiver, Denden Lazaro. Jamie Lavitoria and Gizelle Tan played as Ateneo’s Setter last season and we saw how they struggle as a libero. For me, Gizelle Tan can be more consistent than Lavitoria. I’m not saying that you can’n be a libero because of your height, it’s just in my point of view Lavitoria could be better if she will be the back up setter for Morado or can be a spiker if trained well because she has the height.
Oh sorry, I forgot Maddie Madayag, who is currently recovering from the ACL Tear Injury she acquired last season. She almost topped the Serving Department but after her Injury, Valdez already overtook her in #1 spot. She is considered as the “Most Improved Player” last season and was known for her unstoppable running attacks. Hoping she’ll get stronger after her recovery and can step up also for Ateneo Lady Eagles next season.
It’s hard to conclude but we can predict. In my point of view, Ateneo’s problem now is Who’s gonna step up for them?
Spiker's Entity 