The Ateneo Blue Eagles are dedicating their UAAP Season 87 campaign to their teammates Zel Tsunashima and JLo Delos Santos, who recently suffered season-ending injuries.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —Lyann De Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles are dedicating their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball campaign to injured teammates Zel Tsunashima and JLo Delos Santos.
Despite falling to a 0-2 record in the absence of both players, the Blue Eagles pushed the defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs in the first set before losing, 23-25, 19-25, 15-25 loss on Wednesday at FilOIl EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
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As tribute, the Blue Eagles wrote the names Zel and JLo on their shoes. Tsunashima and Delos Santos suffered season-ending injuries.
READ: UAAP: Ateneo loses two key cogs to season-ending injuries
Ateneo captain Lyann De Guzman dedicates this #UAAPSeason87 to their injured teammates Zel Tsunashima and JLo Delos Santos. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/b5ztx9IKbg
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 19, 2025
Tsunashima sustained a broken left tibia and fibula after a scary fall in their five-set loss to Adamson, while Delos Santos tore her left ACL during their last practice before Sunday’s opener.
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“Ide-dedicate namin itong game sa kanilang dalawa. Lalo na kaming mga seniors, AC [Miner] at Taks [Fujimoto], sobrang close kami kanila JLo at Zel. Para sa kanila itong season na ito,” said De Guzman, who had nine points and seven excellent receptions in their straight-set loss to NU.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles are dedicating their UAAP Season 87 campaign to their teammates Zel Tsunashima and JLo Delos Santos, who recently suffered season-ending injuries.–UAAP PHOTO
“Okay naman si Zel. Sabi nga niya na lakasan na lang talaga namin loob namin. Magssupport siya sa amin throughout this season,” she added.
It was tough for De Guzman and her team to lose their key players but they have to remain mentally and emotionally strong amid the adversity, according to coach Sergio Veloso.
READ: UAAP: NU eases past NU in women’s volleyball
“Mahirap kasi mga key players din namin ‘yon. Binibigyan nila kami ng lakas ng loob na laban lang kami hanggang dulo kasi nandiyan pa rin sila to support us,” said the fourth-year spiker. “Emotionally, alam naman natin ‘yon na mahirap talaga. But sabi namin sa isa’t-isa, magkapitan lang talaga kami. Wala ‘eh, accident talaga tapos kapit lang sa isa’
t-isa.”
Rookie Alexia Montoro and AC Miner stepped up the depleted Blue Eagles, scoring nine points each while freshman Jihan Chuatico added eight points.
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De Guzman seeks for more consistency as Ateneo battles the University of the Philippines on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“Kakasabi lang ni coach kanina, kailangan namin sumunod sa nagiging strategy at system niya,” she said.
