Team captains downplay expectations for 'brand new' Ateneo
MANILA, Philippines – Despite losing key players from last season's team – including their team captain in Jia Morado and best all-around player in Michelle Morente – expectations are still high for the Ateneo de Manila University women's volleyball team.
After all, they are coming off an unexpected finals run in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament. Even after losing Morado and Morente among others, they still have some of the most powerful attackers in the UAAP in their roster. Jho Maraguinot and Kat Tolentino have no problems scoring, while Maddie Madayag and Bea de Leon are among the better middle blockers in the league.
Nevertheless, the loss of their key players cannot be understated. Morado was the team's unquestioned leader last season, and Morente's all-around skills patched up holes in Ateneo's defense. Their new captains, Madayag and Tolentino, are aware that they are marching into Season 80 with a retooled squad.
"They can expect us to be a very new team, with all the people that we lost last year," said Tolentino. "This is a brand new team."
Ateneo lost not just Morente and Morado. Last season's starting libero, Gizelle Tan, has graduated. Players like Jamie Lavitoria and Ana Gopico, who had their moments in Season 79, did not make the cut this year.
In their place are players who still have to prove their worth in the UAAP. Deanna Wong, who played as a libero in Season 79, will be their new setter. The libero position will be shuffled among four players, including Sydney Eleazar and Dani Ravena.
Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article
After all, they are coming off an unexpected finals run in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament. Even after losing Morado and Morente among others, they still have some of the most powerful attackers in the UAAP in their roster. Jho Maraguinot and Kat Tolentino have no problems scoring, while Maddie Madayag and Bea de Leon are among the better middle blockers in the league.
Nevertheless, the loss of their key players cannot be understated. Morado was the team's unquestioned leader last season, and Morente's all-around skills patched up holes in Ateneo's defense. Their new captains, Madayag and Tolentino, are aware that they are marching into Season 80 with a retooled squad.
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| Ateneo team captains Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino. ABS-CBN News photo |
Ateneo lost not just Morente and Morado. Last season's starting libero, Gizelle Tan, has graduated. Players like Jamie Lavitoria and Ana Gopico, who had their moments in Season 79, did not make the cut this year.
In their place are players who still have to prove their worth in the UAAP. Deanna Wong, who played as a libero in Season 79, will be their new setter. The libero position will be shuffled among four players, including Sydney Eleazar and Dani Ravena.
Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article
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