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Madayag: Pressure caught up to Ateneo Lady Eagles

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/04/23/ateneo.jpg"/><figcaption>Ateneo captain Maddie Madayag. Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles exceeded expectations in the UAAP Season 80 women&#x27;s volleyball tournament, as they advanced to the Final 4 despite being in a rebuilding situation.Ateneo lost several key players from last season&#x27;s team – including ace setter Jia Morado and versatile utility Michelle Morente – while also enduring a dramatic offseason. They had a rough start to the tournament, losing their first two contests, before going on a run in the second round.There, the Lady Eagles won five matches in a row – including sweeps of Far Eastern University (FEU) and National University, and five-set marathons over Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas (UST). It was their win over the Golden Tigresses that propelled Ateneo to the Final 4 for the ninth season in a row.Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. A costly loss to University of the Philippines (UP) prevented them from securing a playoff for a semis bonus, and they were soundly beaten by De La Salle University in their final elimination round game. The Lady Eagles put up a fight against FEU in the Final 4, but were still dismissed by the Lady Tamaraws.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/04/22/up-last-minute-jaja-wanted-keep-fighting-nu-40675">READ: Up to the last minute, Jaja wanted to keep fighting for NU</a></li></ul>&quot;Hindi naman siguro nag-overachieve, kasi nga we still had a goal. We still wanted (to go to) the finals,&quot; Ateneo captain Maddie Madayag said after their loss to FEU.&quot;Siguro, we gave our best, but then maybe, it&#x27;s not our best. Siguro, meron pa kaming pwedeng ilabas,&quot; she added.It was a poor end to what had been an impressive season for the Lady Eagles, as they lost their final three games. Their subpar play started against the Lady Falcons in their fourth game of the second round, and they had to dig deep in order to hack out a five-set win.They also had to rally to get past UST in their very next assignment. But the Lady Eagles ran out of steam against UP, and were thoroughly outplayed by La Salle.&quot;Siguro, the pressure,&quot; Madayag said when asked what went so wrong for the Lady Eagles in the final stretch of their campaign.&quot;I mean, we were a team, but then… hindi ko ma-explain. Parang, it&#x27;s more on lakas ng loob and confidence,&quot; she added. &quot;Kasi nga, young team. Pag nagkakamali, hindi nababawi agad. Mahirap i-explain.&quot;Regardless of how it ended, however, the season was still one to remember for the Lady Eagles – especially considering how it started for them.&quot;With what we&#x27;ve accomplished this season, it&#x27;s not disappointing,&quot; said Madayag. &quot;I mean, disappointing &#x27;yung loss. But then, what we&#x27;ve accomplished isn&#x27;t disappointing, kasi we made it this far.&quot;The question now is if Ateneo will be able to build on their campaign this year. Already, they are set to lose head coach Tai Bundit and top spiker Jhoana Maraguinot. Veteran middle blocker Bea de Leon has not committed to returning for her final season – and neither has Madayag.&quot;Maybe,&quot; said Madayag when asked about her future with the team. &quot;Secret, may pinag-iisipan. Maybe.&quot;<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

It was a poor end to what had been an impressive season for the Lady Eagles, as they lost their final three games.

It was a poor end to what had been an impressive season for the Lady Eagles, as they lost their final three games.

Madayag: Pressure caught up to Ateneo Lady Eagles

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Madayag: Pressure caught up to Ateneo Lady Eagles

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2018 05:23 PM PHT

Read More:

uaap

uaap season 80

uaap volleyball

ateneo lady eagles

maddie madayag

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