Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — In Game 1 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball finals, La Salle showed off their hunger for the title and shellacked Ateneo to open the series.
But the Lady Eagles rose up in Game 2 after an inspired performance by captain Alyssa Valdez, forcing a mouth-watering do-or-die Game 3.
We take a look back at how the series has shaped up thus far and where the two teams stand heading into the decisive fixture.
Game 1: La Salle dominates Ateneo
In recent times, the Ateneo Lady Eagles have been the most dominant team in the league. Ever since unseating the Lady Spikers in Season 76, Ateneo looked comfortable at the top of the heap.
La Salle came into the finals after being forced to play an extra match against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the semifinals, which is in contrast to Ateneo breezing past UP to earn their slot.
But it turned out that the extra game turned out to be just what the La Salle needed.
In the first match, the Lady Spikers overwhelmed their rivals in three straight sets, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21, on April 23 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Kim Dy and Mika Reyes stood tall for La Salle as they quickly erased a 1-7 first set deficit and controlled much of the game from that point on.
After the game La Salle’s Ara Galang said that the team was happy to be one step closer to the goal but was still wary for any form of complacency to set in.
“Syempre hindi dapat kami maging complacent or masatisfy sa one game win lang,” said Galang. “Kailangan paghirapan pa namin, at kailangan yung tingin namin sa goal pa rin.”
[Translation: We cannot be complacent or be satisfied with a one game win. We need to work hard for it, and we have to keep our eyes on the goal.]
Read: La Salle makes quick work of Ateneo in Game 1
Game 2: Valdez breathes life into Ateneo
The match looked dead and buried after two sets.
The Lady Eagles looked poised to take their first frame of the series in the second set after taking a 24-20 advantage. But La Salle came back with all the firepower they had and forced an extension at 24-all.
The Lady Spikers would take the second set, 28-26, and it seemed like the trophy was headed back two Taft avenue after residing in Katipunan for two years.
Then came the reigning MVP.
Valdez pounced on the Lady Archers in the next three sets to drag the Lady Eagles into a third and final game with a thrilling five set win on April 27. The Ateneo captain finished with 34 points.
After forcing a one-game extension on her farewell tour in the UAAP, a teary-eyed Valdez made her way to the press room and shared what coach Tai Bundit said to inspire the team to fight back.
“Coach Tai will always say na kahit lamang na ng two sets yung kalaban, he will just say zero-zero,” said Valdez.
Read: Ateneo escapes La Salle to force Game 3
Game 3: The final bow
Game 3 will not just see the end of the finals series between Ateneo and La Salle, but it will also be the very last game of some of the sport’s brightest collegiate stars.
For La Salle, Mika Esperanza, Carol Ann Cerveza, Cyd Demecillo, and mainstays Reyes and Galang will all take the court for the very last time on Saturday (April 30).
Ateneo, meanwhile, will say farewell to their talisman Valdez and Amy Ahomiro.
Tears will undoubtedly be shed by both sides.
Tears of joy for the championship, and tears of sorrow for those taking their final bow for their schools.
Momentum may be with the Ateneo Lady Eagles, but no one would count out the La Salle Lady Spikers in a do-or-die game.
Who will win the championship? It’s anybody’s guess.
Also read: Ateneo’s Valdez ahead of Game 3: ‘We have to prepare mentally’
