GRADUATING University of Santo Tomas star Sisi Rondina was in tears after UST fell short of a title in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament, after Ateneo completed a come-from-behind win in the best-of-three finals series.
But if there’s one person who understands her the most it was former Queen Eagle, Alyssa Valdez.
The former UAAP MVP, who played for Ateneo from Season 74 to 78, knew what it’s like not to graduate as champion.
“Oo naman I feel for Sisi also, being in her last year,” said Valdez, who in her five years in the UAAP, Valdez had three runner up finishes and two championships.
During her last year in the UAAP in 2016, Ateneo bowed to La Salle but Valdez received loud cheers from the crowd inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Kasi I remember my time also, during my last year. ‘Yung support ng community ganito ka-big,” she added.
Valdez, who played for UST in high school and had three titles in the UAAP girls’ volleyball, also noted that the Tigresses’ Cinderella story would’ve been inspiring had they won the title.
“And I think it’s so refreshing to see a different team being in the finals also,” she said. “It’s so nice na very inspiring ang story ng UST kasi from No. 7 last year and now they gave a good fight to Ateneo.”
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