DES Cheng was as surprised as everyone else upon receiving the Finals MVP award in the aftermath of La Salle's conquest of Ateneo in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball finals on Saturday.
Cheng dropped 12 points, including crucial shots, in the deciding set to help the Lady Spikers hammer out a 19-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10 win and clinch back-to-back championships for La Salle.
Her last point doused the Lady Eagles' last rally before teammates Tin Tiamzon and Majoy Baron put the finishing touches to the title-clinching victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"No, no talaga," said Cheng when asked if she expected to receive the award. "Thank you kay coach (Ramil de Jesus). I'm super happy."
[See Sweet repeat for La Salle]
One person not surprised to see Cheng being named the Finals’ top player, though, is La Salle coach de Jesus.
"Siguro nakita ko yung 100% sa receive, and then malaking bagay yun para sa team para makapag-execute ng play si (Kim) Fajardo," De Jesus said of the spiker, who had 12 excellent digs.
On her part, Cheng added she only wanted to be instrumental in La Salle's title-retention bid after sitting out last season due to an ACL injury.
"Siyempre first naman po hindi ko naman ine-expect na maging Finals MVP, ang hangad ko talaga is yung big trophy, yung championship talaga," she said.
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