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Ateneo de Manila University’s Lyann De Guzman in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University looks to rise from its fifth-place finish last year in the upcoming UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.
The Sergio Veloso-coached squad sat at 5-9 at the conclusion of Season 86, missing the Final 4 for the second straight year, but Lyann De Guzman and Taks Fujimoto are confident that the Blue Eagles are capable of turning this around in Season 87.
“We just need to play our 110% every game,” said De Guzman during the league’s pre-tournament press conference on Thursday in Pasay.
“‘Di na siya rebuilding team eh, two years na kami, so mas madali na siya since mas marami na kaming may alam ng sistema,” she added.
Fujimoto, for her part, shared the facets that they focused on during the off-season that only saw them say goodbye to one Blue Eagle, former Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal.
“For this season, mas nag-improve kami. Since last year, defensive team talaga kami, so this time we focused on our offense,” she said. “‘Di naman ganon ka-big 'yung difference, but it’s more on improving the system.”
But aside from the relatively intact line-up that they are parading this year, what excited Ateneo are their rookies Jihan Chuatico, Robielle Silla, and Fiona Arroyo.
“Very balanced 'yung team namin, so mas napabilis 'yung process ng rookies na umangat sa level na gusto ni coach,” said De Guzman. “'Yung rookies namin, maaasahan namin sila this season. Makikita natin na blue chips sila noong high school, and I can say na maaasahan natin sila this season.”
Fujimoto even hailed Arroyo who plays the same position as Doromal. 
Ateneo de Manila University’s Taks Fujimoto in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.“Since si Ate Roms, she graduated and went to the pros na, now we have a new libero in Fiona Arroyo,” she raved. “She’s really helpful. She’s a rookie, but she plays like a veteran na rin.”
“We’re so glad, she really helped us na hindi namin gaano na-feel na nawala si Ate Roma. She is filling the position very well,” she added.
Now that Season 87 is upon them, De Guzman and Fujimoto want the Blue Eagles to take things patiently in order for their progress to translate into the taraflex well.
“Of course, every team naman wants to make the Top 4, pero 'yung mindset namin is one game at a time lang,” Lyann said.
“We have our goals, but this season is more on each of us having stronger minds,” Taks added.
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