Ateneo leaders Faith Nisperos, Vanie Gandler bringing the team together, says coach

FILE–Faith Nisperos and the Ateneo Blue Eagles. – UAAP PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro is counting on captains Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler to lead the young Blue Eagles as they look to bounce back in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament after failing to defend their title last year.

Giving responsibility to Nisperos and Gandler as the leaders of the team was useless for Almadro after the hard-hitting pair will return Ateneo to the Final Four despite a slow start in the eliminations.

“Since last year, he was my leader. But we lost another leader, Jaja [Maraguinot]. But after last season, he’s the one who pushes the team, brings the team, he really wants to bounce back,” Almadro said. “He’s the one I see who really has the determination to lead the team. I’m very happy to have a leader like him.”

Almadro is also confident in the potential of freshman setter Takako Fujimoto as well as middle blockers AC Miner and Joan Narit.

“My new setter is promising. He is brave. He just needs a few games for experience. The UAAP is different from other leagues. I hope NU’s first match can give him confidence in the rest of the matches,” Almadro said.

“Miner is a really good middle blocker and Narit continues to develop and hopefully in the UAAP, they will be a force to be reckoned with. I really believe in them,” he added.

Ateneo lost several key players Maraguinot, libero and former captain Dani Ravena, and spiker Erika Raagas, who helped them finish with the bronze medal after defeating Adamson in the playoffs and eliminating third-seeded UST in last year’s stepladder semifinals.

Despite the departure of veteran players, Almadro puts a premium on hard work for them to reach the top.

“If we want to enter the finals, let’s work hard and have a chance to enter the Final Four first. When you’re in the Final Four, you give yourself a chance to get to the finals,” he said. “That’s a realistic goal. First, being in the Final Four and being there, I hope it inspires me to go further. It’s really one step at a time and it gets better every day.

The Blue Eagles take on the defending champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs, on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Read Next

Don’t miss the latest news and information.

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.