ATENEO De Manila Blue Eagles team captain Ysay Marasigan said he has left a legacy for his teammates to follow next season.
The 21-year-old Marasigan came up with 11 kills for a total of 12 points last Wednesday to lead the Blue Eagles to their second straight title in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s volleyball tournament.
He ended his stint with the Blue Eagles as the Finals MVP, and one of the tournament’s best scorers, behind scoring leader Marck Espejo, the season MVP.
With his 48.89 percent success rate, Marasigan feels that his performance is something that his teammates can look up to when they seek a three-peat next year.
“This (year) is special. When coach came, he made me team captain. So this year, I showed my teammates the best the game that I can have, so they can use it as an example,” said Marasigan.
Marasigan spoke of his thoughts after the Blue Eagles completed a 2-game sweep of their best-of-three finals series, winning over National University, 25-16, 25-20, 25-19, in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
During the game, he made seven digs, for the team.
For Marasigan, this is his second championship this year, after he and Espejo, a three-time season MVP, also took the UAAP beach volleyball title in the first semester.
Marasigan will still play for Ateneo for one last time in July.
The 22-year old Marasigan, an Interdisciplinary Studies student, will see action for the school in the Asian University Games in Singapore this July.
In reaching the finals, The Blue Eagles only lost once in the eliminations for a 13-1 win-loss slate.
For coach Oliver Almadro, making it to the finals means hard work for the team.
“Walang may advantage. Kailangan may preparation ka,” said Almadro.
The Blue Eagles reached the finals beating University of the Philippines in the semifinals.
They took Game One with a 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18 win.
Meanwhile, defending champion Ateneo Lady Eagles silenced the La Salle Lady Spikers walked away without a word after the Lady Spikers endured a 25-18, 28-26, 17-25, 16-25, 11-15 loss.
The players refused to talk about the loss after they left the court, and even after they left the dugout, keeping their feelings to themselves as they headed for a waiting shuttle.
La Salle athletic director Nongnong Calanog, speaking on behalf of coach Ramil de Jesus, said the players are in high spirits, and feel confident they can hurdle the Lady Eagles on Saturday.
“Parang they don’t want to put this one year of hard work down the drain,” said Calanog, minutes before de Jesus emerged from the dugout and refused to utter a word.
Star hitter Ara Galang is expected to be back in the game after suffering from a sore knee. She momentarily left the game in the third set because of her condition.