Ateneo lacked killer instinct, says Alyssa Valdez  

 

Alyssa Valdez admitted that Ateneo de Manila University's championship pedigree was nowhere to be found in their straight-sets loss to De La Salle University in Game One of the UAAP Women's Volleyball Finals on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Lady Eagles mounted early leads in all three sets, only to squander their advantage in the second half of the frames as the Lady Spikers relentlessly challenged them in every rally.

 

Gone was the aura of invincibility that Ateneo displayed in their perfect season last year, a fact that Valdez was keenly aware of.

 

"We lacked siguro self-confidence also, we're lacking siguro the killer instinct in today's game," said the reigning Most Valuable Player, who scored a quiet 17 points in the 25-22, 25-22, 25-21 sweep.

 

La Salle shut down the Ateneo spikers with 13 block points, six of which came from Mika Reyes alone.

 

The Lady Eagles also couldn't get into any offensive rhythm due to their poor reception. The Lady Spikers, meanwhile, made scoring points look easy with their balanced attack.

 

"I guess La Salle really prepared for us super well and they're really having like tuluy-tuloy na game so I think it worked on their advantage," Valdez said. 

 

"They really want to win in this game."

 

La Salle seeks to foil Ateneo's bid for a three-peat and deny Valdez a championship in her final year in the UAAP, aiming for sweet revenge for their finals loss in the past two seasons.

 

The Phenom, however, remains focused on Game Two on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 

"There's nothing to lose naman din," she said. 

 

"We really just need to loosen up as a team, just enjoy the game, be happy, and play for our teammates, for our coaches, and for the people who support us." — APG, GMA News