Last year, season MVP Cherry “Sisi” Rondina felt a big burden on her shoulders when the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses fought valiantly but placed seventh.
Most of the team’s workload belonged to her.
This year, her teammates were contributing in the efforts to make it their best-ever season in seven years in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament.
“Kailangan namin na i-uplift siya. Kailangan namin siyang i-push to the limit last year. But, this time, hindi namin siya kailangang pigain pa. Kasi may mga taong tumutulong sa kanya,” said Tigresses coach Kung Fu Reyes.
Reyes said this after the Tigresses made a big stand in the third set and put away the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20, last Saturday in Game 1 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 5’6” Rondina, who is the team’s go-to player when it comes to attacks, played a more relaxed and focused game throughout the 81-minute match against Ateneo.
That’s because teammates like setter Alina Bicar were giving good passes, and quick spiker Ysabel Jamie Jimenez was reinforcing her in the middle.
With Rondina providing leadership, UST’s victory over Ateneo became their first win against the Lady Eagles since Season 74.
UST had not beaten Ateneo since the time of Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz and Maruja Banaticla back in 2012.
Against Ateneo, Rondina delivered 23 points, with 20 won on attacks while teammate Eya Laure made nine of 11 points off her attacks.
History beckons for the Tigresses who are just one win away from their first title since Season 72 and 17th overall.
But it’s not over yet for the Lady Eagles, whom Reyes considers as the number 1 team in terms of defense and blocking.
“Pinag-aralan namin kung saan kami lumusot sa Ateneo kasi, sila ang no. 1 blocking team,” said Reyes.
The Lady Eagles, behind the defense of Kat Tolentino, Julianne Samonte, Bea de Leon and Maddie Madayag could still spoil things for UST if they bounce back on Game 2 at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
