MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University star Kianna Dy knew that her significant other, Marck Espejo of the Ateneo de Manila University, was capable of putting up high-scoring performances for his team.

After all, she saw how he torched Far Eastern University (FEU) for 39 points earlier in the UAAP Season 80 men's volleyball tournament, even if that resulted in a loss for the Blue Eagles.

"Noong nag-39 siya, sabi ko, 'O sige, abutin mo 40'," Dy told ABS-CBN News on Sunday. "'Di ba nag-39 siya? Sabi ko, 'Sayang, one point 40 na lang. Mag-40 points ka ha!'"

"Chinallenge ko lang siya," she also said. "Hindi ko naman alam na seseryosohin niya."

• READ: Espejo records 55 points, Ateneo forces decider

Dy was referring to Espejo's historic performance for Ateneo in their Final 4 match-up against the Tamarwas last Saturday, when the reigning men's Most Valuable Player scored a record-breaking 55 points for the Blue Eagles.

@MarckEspejooo taking my “40 points ha” too seriously 🤦🏽‍♀️

— Kim Kianna Dy (@KiannaDy) April 21, 2018

Espejo was unstoppable, firing 47 kills – one more than the entire FEU team – while also coming up with six blocks and two aces. He scored 11 points in the deciding fifth set to power the Blue Eagles to an 18-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 15-9 triumph, thus forcing a do-or-die game on Wednesday for the last spot in the men's volleyball finals.

"Eh 'di ikaw na," Dy tweeted after the game.

eh di ikaw na. Congrats boy @MarckEspejooo 🤷🏽‍♀️💪🏼

— Kim Kianna Dy (@KiannaDy) April 21, 2018

For Dy, Espejo's towering performance served as a motivation. The graduating opposite hitter was already determined to lead the Lady Spikers to the women's volleyball finals, but seeing Espejo play so well only further fueled her.

"For me, when I see him play, parang, 'Wow, what a player.' As in, when I was watching him, I was like, goals talaga 'yan. I wanna play like how he plays," said Dy.

"Siyempre, for my team rin, I wanna give my 100% rin, like how he does to his team. So, nagiging extra motivation rin siya," she added.

Dy didn't quite match Espejo's performance, but she didn't need to: she scored 17 points in La Salle's 27-25, 25-22, 25-11 triumph over National University in their own Final 4 game on Sunday.

Espejo, for his part, will play again on Wednesday, with their season on the line once more against FEU.

And if he scores 55 points again?

"Hindi na ako magugulat," said Dy. "Nakita ko na 'yung kakayahan niya."

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.