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/2016/sports2/05/01/fajardo-050116.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">La Salle&#x27;s Kim Fajardo celebrates after winning the UAAP Season 78 championship. Richard Esguerra, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University&#x27;s start in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 78 Finals – the winner takes all showdown against archrival Ateneo de Manila University – was less than ideal.The Lady Spikers trailed 1-10 in the opening set, falling behind immediately behind a hail of attacks from Alyssa Valdez. A late rally proved futile, as Ateneo claimed a 25-19 win in the first frame and took one step closer towards the title.Throughout the poor start, La Salle captain Kim Fajardo never doubted and never lost faith in her team, always believing that they can regain the confidence – and the swagger – that brought them to the Finals in the first place.<figure class="op-social"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uWhEJHb6haE" width="100%"></iframe></figure>&quot;Never doubted. Never talaga,&quot; Fajardo told ABS-CBN News. &quot;Sinabi ko kasi na, itong team na ito, team ko ito eh. &#x27;Di ito susuko.&quot;Fajardo made sure to do her part to lift the Lady Spikers&#x27; spirits. Usually tasked to set up her teammates for hits, Fajardo made it a point to ask for the ball from libero Dawn Macandili, and stunned the Ateneo defense with a spike of her own.(READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2016/04/30/lady-spikers-complete-3-year-journey-title-9-11034">Lady Spikers complete 3-year journey with title No. 9</a>)&quot;Humihingi ako (ng bola),&quot; Fajardo said, laughing. &quot;Siyempre, unusual naman na sa setter papalo. Parang pampabuhay (sa team). Hinihingi ko kay Dawn… Alam naman ni Dawn na kaya ko naman.&quot;&quot;And ako, may tiwala ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko itong patayin, kahit setter ako. Kaya kong pumalo,&quot; she stressed. &quot;Kasi para sa akin, ikaw rin lang ang magbibigay ng confidence sa sarili mo, &#x27;di ba?&quot;Fajardo scored twice off spikes in the second set, and the &quot;unusual&quot; plays did their job – her teammates stared in amazement at each hit, and then celebrated wildly as if they had scored the championship point.La Salle went on to take the second set, 25-21, and then claimed the next two frames to rack up a ninth women&#x27;s volleyball title.&quot;Ako, as a captain, parang kailangan ko rin talaga gumawa ng moves – mga way para buhayin (ang team),&quot; Fajardo later explained. &quot;Siyempre, ayoko naman na lalaro kami ng ganoon lang. Talo kami ng first set, 10-1… ayoko umpisahan ng ganoon.&quot;&quot;Yun din ang nasa isip ko, na captain ako at big game ito – last game din ito. Kailangan ko mag-step up pa siguro,&quot; she added.It was just the latest show of leadership for Fajardo, who has shone all throughout the season for the Lady Spikers. She provided calmness when they were in rocky situations, and ferocity when they needed to play catch-up volleyball.The poor start to their final game of the season never shook Fajardo&#x27;s confidence in herself, and in her team, and in the promise she made to herself even before the Lady Spikers entered the Araneta Coliseum.&quot;Never, never talaga (ako nag-doubt), kasi kine-claim ko na &#x27;yun, na amin ito. Amin ito,&quot; she said, stressing each syllable. &quot;Lalabas kami sa Araneta na masaya, champion. Ayokong umalis ang mga seniors na malungkot.&quot;After the victory – wherein she scored six points on top of 51 excellent sets – Fajardo could not find the words to describe her happiness.&quot;Di ko nga mga-express. Nagu-umapaw ang emosyon ko,&quot; she said. &quot;Sobrang saya na &#x27;di mo na alam…&quot;&quot;Kasi ako, kapag sinabi ko na gusto kong manalo talaga, gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo,&quot; she added. &quot;Minsan, mahirap, mabigat, kasi non-scoring ako, pero ayon, kailangan ko talaga na mag-deliver.&quot;&quot;And ngayon, siguro, kailangan ko talaga, kasi ito na eh. Last na. Wala ka ng ibang iniisip.&quot;(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

La Salle's start in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 78 Finals – the winner takes all showdown against archrivals Ateneo – was less than ideal.

The leader: Fajardo shows the way anew for La Salle

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The leader: Fajardo shows the way anew for La Salle

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 01, 2016 02:35 PM PHT

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Updated May 01, 2016 03:02 PM PHT

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