Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — In Season 77 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball finals, La Salle star Ara Galang was forced to watch her team fall to the eventual champions Ateneo from the sidelines.
One year later, she is just one game away from avenging that loss.
“May goosebumps,” said Galang, who is glad to be playing in this season’s championship round. “Sobrang happy and excited kasi makakalaro na ako with my team.”
[Translation: There are goosebumps. I’m so happy and excited because I can now play with my team.]
The Lady Spikers shocked the Ateneo Lady Eagles in straight sets, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21, in the first match of their best-of-three final series.
Also read: La Salle makes quick work of Ateneo in Game 1
But despite the obvious elation of getting one past their archrivals, Galang is wary of any complacency that might creep in.
“Masaya (kami) kasi parang one step closer na to sa goal ng team,” she said. “Pero syempre hindi dapat kami maging complacent or masatisfy sa one game win lang. Kailangan paghirapan pa namin, at kailangan yung tingin namin sa goal pa rin.“
[Translation: We are happy because we are one step closer to the goal of the team. But of course, 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.]
Galang was one of four players who chipped in with double-digit points in the victory. She said the extended series against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the semifinals was “a blessing in disguise,” helping them realize the goal they’re trying to achieve.
Should the Lady Spikers finish off the series against the Lady Eagles, they would snap Ateneo’s two-year streak at the pinnacle of UAAP women’s volleyball.
The two rivals will face each other anew on Wednesday (April 27) at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Read: Valdez on Game 1 loss: We lacked the killer instinct
