Ateneo Lady Eagles: Still a work in
progress.
by rick olivares pic by joseph nocos
As impressive as Ateneo was in
taking down hitherto undefeated UP in three sets, they still aren’t close to
being what they should. It was the best game of the season that is about to
reach its halfway mark. Now they have to sustain it and improve in the other
aspects of the game.
If you’re rooting for that team
in blue and white, I’d exercise restraint and caution. After all, the game is
filled with highs and lows.
Talking to head coach Anusorn
Bundit last Sunday evening, I commended him for his team’s big win and strong
showing. Yet I wanted him to validate the notion that the defense still needs
some work.
“Defense… need to improve, ah,”
succinctly pointed out the Lady Eagles’ fourth year coach.
It isn’t false modesty. The man
knows what he is talking about. Furthermore, we agree.
If you look at where Ateneo was
this time of the year during Season 78 (Alyssa Valdez’ last season) and this
year, you’ll agree with Bundit.
Defensive Category
|
Season 78 First Round Rank
|
Season 79 First Round Rank
|
Blocking
|
4
|
4
|
Digging
|
7
|
8
|
Receiving
|
3
|
5
|
“More work to do,” concluded
Bundit. “Much work.”
If there’s anything that the Lady
Eagles can take away and build on from the win over UP is it was their defense.
You can be sure that other teams will continue to test them and La Salle will
be a stern test.
Let’s hold that thought for a
moment and turn to the other side of the court.
Offensively, they are much better
now than last season. With one more match to play before the first round ends,
they have scored the most number of points with 490 (29 more than second placer
La Salle). And they are pretty much
where they were from last season in all three offensive categories.
Offensive Category
|
Season 78 First Round Rank
|
Season 79 First Round Rank
|
Spiking
|
1
|
1
|
Setting
|
2
|
2
|
Serving
|
2
|
2
|
However… and that is a huge
however, during the halfway mark of Season 78, Alyssa Valdez was the only
Atenean in the top ten in scoring. The next Lady Eagles were ranked #20th-22nd
and that was Maddie Madayag, Jhoana Maraguinot, and Bea De Leon respectively.
If you look at scoring this year,
there are three Lady Eagles in the top ten: Mich Morente (4th),
Maraguinot (7th), and De Leon (10th). That’s a more
spread out offense for Bundit this year. Kat Tolentino is 21st. So
no surprise, Ateneo is tops in spiking with 243 and a 39% success rate.
While the spread out offense is
good for the team and Jia Morado continues to shine and remain
underappreciated, it should be pointed out that there is another emerging force
for the Lady Eagles.
And that is Bea De Leon. This isn’t
discounting the return of Morente that has added another weapon for the team or
the strong showing of Tolentino. Or Gyzelle Tan’s looking more stable as the
team’s libero. Far from that. This is a team effort.
However, we have to point to De
Leon’s continued rise. From her rookie year playing in the V-League to the UAAP
season proper, she has tantalized with her talent. Look at her now.
10th in scoring while averaging 10.1 points per match.
As of this writing, rated best spiker with a 48% success rate.
7th best blocker.
I’d also say that more than being
a two-way player for Ateneo, she is the team’s emotional leader. Yet, with Bea,
it isn’t all overt displays of emotion. If you caught that game against UP, she
was focused and calm. None of her usual displays of fire and emotion. And the
Lady Eagles, who have made a reputation of not showing up opponents, followed
her lead. Just smile, exchange high fives, no running around or dancing. Just go
back and play.
And she plays great defense (and
we all look forward to that return bout against Jaja Santiago).
Now that provides a perfect segue
to that last thought…. defense.
De Leon forms a quite a tall wall
along with Madayag and Tolentino. By far, they aren’t the Great Wall of
Katipunan just yet. They have to earn that tag some more. They are the first
line of defense though. And that also means the others will have to do their
part. And for sure, they will have their hands full against a surging La Salle
squad.
No comments:
Post a Comment