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UAAP: La Salle's Lourdes Clemente steps into the spotlight

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/16/lasalle.jpg"/><figcaption>De La Salle&#x27;s Lourdes Clemente. <em>Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- In her final season of playing collegiate volleyball, Lourdes Clemente is once again a rookie.</p><p>Oh, she&#x27;s not a rookie in terms of experience and playing years. In fact, Clemente might be the most experienced player in her entire team.</p><p>But it will be Clemente&#x27;s first -- and last -- year in De La Salle University, and her first -- and last -- season in the UAAP. After four years of competing for University of Perpetual Help in the NCAA, Clemente is once again a rookie.</p><p>&quot;Pagdating sa team kasi rookie ako,&quot; she says. &quot;I mean, bago ako. And once na bago ka sa isang team, kahit sabihin mo na graduate ka, talagang rookie pa rin ang feeling ko.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Pero pagdating sa laro, hindi rookie ang tingin ko sa sarili ko,&quot; she guarantees.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/23/19/clemente-leaves-fate-up-to-uaap-eligibility-committee">READ: Clemente leaves fate up to UAAP eligibility committee</a></li></ul><div><strong>NCAA star</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/23/012319_uaap.jpg"/></figure></div><p>Clemente is already a known commodity. She starred for four years for Perpetual Help, winning First Middle Blocker honors in NCAA Seasons 92 and 93. She has also seen action in commercial leagues, most recently for F2 Logistics in the Philippine Superliga.</p><p>Her move to La Salle caused a stir, not least because there were questions as to her eligibility. Clemente played only four seasons for Perpetual before graduating with a degree in Tourism, leaving her with one more year of collegiate volleyball to play.</p><p>Clemente kept mum on her inclusion in the team for months, but confirmed a couple of weeks before the start of Season 81 that she has been included in the La Salle line-up. </p><p>It is a huge boost for the Lady Spikers, who are seeking a four-peat this year.</p><p>&quot;Super okay &#x27;yung paglipat ko,&quot; Clemente said. &quot;Siyempre medyo nahihirapan ako siyempre sa system. Ang tagal ko nag-stay sa Perpetual, tapos paglipat ko sobrang hirap ng system.&quot;</p><p>She is working triple time in training to catch up with her teammates, she said, and ensure that she can keep up with the system by the time the UAAP season rolls around.</p><p>&quot;Kailangan talagang binibigay ko ang best ko kasi last na to eh,&quot; said Clemente.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2019/01/14/uaap-season-81-diolan-clemente-get-go-signal-play-52110">READ: Diolan, Clemente could get go-signal to play</a></li></ul><div><strong>Big role, big pressure</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FnvmOBRVj0?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>That she is playing in her final collegiate season is just one reason to feel pressure. Clemente has been given a big responsibility in La Salle, one that she admits can be a little overwhelming.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung taong pinalitan ko… MVP, Best Middle Blocker. Majoy Baron,&quot; said Clemente, referring to La Salle&#x27;s former captain who won the league&#x27;s top individual honor in Season 79, and anchored the Lady Spikers&#x27; net defense en route to 3 straight UAAP crowns.</p><p>&quot;Talagang top siya sa lahat ng middle blocker ng UAAP. So para sa akin, kailangan ibigay ko rin kung ano &#x27;yung binibigay niya. So para sa akin medyo nahihirapan ako,&quot; she admitted.</p><p>La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus has made it clear that he has high expectations of her, said Clemente.</p><p>&quot;Siyempre &#x27;yung expectation nila sa akin, super laki kasi siyempre sinasabi nila na &#x27;yung ... parang exposure ko, ganyan, na graduate na ako, na dapat &#x27;yung laro ko ngayon, hindi na pang-college,&quot; she explained.</p><p>Indeed, the La Salle coaches are expecting her to play like a pro -- to be a cut above the rest. De Jesus has told her that though she is technically a &quot;rookie&quot; in the UAAP, she should play like a &quot;super senior.&quot;</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Sa age mo, sa exposure mo, kailangan yun ang hinahanap namin na kailangan mong ilabas this coming UAAP.&#x27;&quot; This was De Jesus&#x27; message to her.</p><p>It is no surprise that Clemente is feeling the pressure -- which can only heighten as the season approaches.</p><p>&quot;Binibilisan ko talaga ang adjustments,&quot; she said. &quot;Sa training talagang nag-all out ako every training, nagdo-double time ako after training para lang makahabol ako.&quot;</p><div><strong>Excitement</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D-kPHgDpI9w?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>In a way, Clemente said she has no other choice but to welcome the pressure that is now piling on her. </p><p>&quot;Siyempre, ginusto ko to eh,&quot; she admits.</p><p>&quot;So sa akin talagang, andoon &#x27;yung pressure. Pero mino-motivate ko ang sarili ko na andoon &#x27;yung excitement,&quot; she added. &quot;Tinatanggal ko &#x27;yung pressure, iniisip ko &#x27;yung excitement na kailangan first game namin, kailangan all out ako.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Hindi lang first game, sa mga susunod pang game hanggang matapos kailangan kong ibigay. Kasi siyempre last na &#x27;to, so kailangan all out na ako.&quot;</p><p>Besides, it&#x27;s not just pressure and excitement that Clemente is feeling -- there is also that burning motivation to prove herself in a big stage.</p><p>She ended her career in Perpetual Help as the best middle blocker in the NCAA, but now she is determined to showcase her talent in the UAAP level, in front of bigger crowds and brighter lights.</p><p>&quot;Para sa akin, ipapakita ko na hindi lang pang-NCAA ang laro ko, hindi lang pang-UAAP ang laro ko. Talagang pang-pro na talaga. Kung ano &#x27;yung mga natutunan ko sa mga company ko na nilaruan non ia-apply ko now sa UAAP,&quot; she vowed.</p><p>She will be tested immediately, as La Salle&#x27;s first opponent in Season 81 is their archrival, Ateneo de Manila University. Clemente said she has been warned about the inevitably large crowd that will pack the Mall of Asia Arena, the boisterous nature of the fans, and the high tension in the game itself.</p><p>She vowed to be ready.</p><p>&quot;Hindi ko na iniisip &#x27;yung crowd,&quot; insists Clemente. &quot;Iisipin ko na lang kung ano &#x27;yung tamang gagawin at kung ano &#x27;yung dapat kong gawin as a middle siyempre.&quot;</p><p>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</p>

<p>In her final season of playing collegiate volleyball, Lourdes Clemente is once again a rookie.</p>

In her final season of playing collegiate volleyball, Lourdes Clemente is once again a rookie.

UAAP: La Salle's Lourdes Clemente steps into the spotlight

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UAAP: La Salle's Lourdes Clemente steps into the spotlight

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 16, 2019 06:06 AM PHT

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De La Salle Lady Spikers

Lourdes Clemente

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