'One-two spike': Buena, De Guzman deliver for Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines — After a so-so first two games in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, Sobe Buena and Lyann De Guzman finally got their rhythm going for Ateneo.

Buena pumped 17 points while De Guzman hammered 14 as the Blue Eagles blanked the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, to claim their first win at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

If Ateneo is to contend for a Final Four spot, Buena and De Guzman must be that 'one-two punch', or 'one-two spike', if you will, for the Blue Eagles especially after they lost spikers Jennifer 'JLo' Delos Santos and Zel Tsunashima to injuries.

Showcasing efficiency, Buena drilled 15 of her 27 attacks and did some work on floor defense, too, with four excellent receptions.

"I think I just tried to make the most out of this game because I wasn't able to help my teammates in those first two games," said the third year spiker.

"My mindset going to this game was really just to give my all and able to be a good teammate to all of my teammates because we all work really hard in training and we all really sacrifice a lot to be here so I guess I just wanted to make the best out of everything we sacrificed and just play my game."

On the other hand, the fourth year and team captain De Guzman racked up 12 attacks while also playing defense with six digs and four receptions.

While many would say that this is really her team now, De Guzman stressed the importance of team effort.

"As a senior and playing my last year, the pressure is always there but I was told that I didn't have to do it alone because my teammates are there to help me and contribute," said De Guzman.

"This isn't a one-man show, we're not star players, I'd like to call our team a 'star team'. When we come together, we're really strong," whose fellow senior AC Miner also breached double digits with 12 points.

For JLo, Zel and Ateneo community

As they try to make the Final Four, the Blue Eagles are drawing strength from Delos Santos and Tsunashima as well as the Ateneo community, dedicating the season for them.

"I think we're really very motivated now even more so because as I said, we're not just playing for ourselves, we're also playing for the Ateneo community, we're playing for Zel and JLo," said Buena.

"I think that's really something that we can get our strength from, it's really something that we can keep working hard towards as we try to make the Final Four and help each other along the way," she added.