13, 10, 11, 1, 3 18.
It’s the six number combination Alyssa Valdez learned by heart on Saturday. And it’s not intended for lottery game.
“Hindi nga ako marunong tumaya sa lotto,” the Ateneo star said with a big laugh.
The digits represent the jersey numbers of University of the Philippines’ young guns, who gave the Lady Eagles a big scare during their quarterfinal faceoff in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan on Saturday.
“It was a hard battle, battle of Katipunan sabi nga nila, UP really gave us a good fight,” said Valdez.
No. 13 stands for rookie Justine Dorog, No. 10 is for another neophyte in Maria Lina Isabel Molde, No. 11 represents sophomore Marian Buitre, No. 3 is for rookie Maristela Layug, No. 1 is sophomore setter Jewel Lai, and No. 18 is freshman Diana Carlos.
Despite winning, 25-18, 26-24, 20-25, 25-15, the 22-year-old Valdez admitted it was a tough fight going up against the Lady Maroons, especially with all the six young players doing the damage.
“Everyone played as a team today (but) the rookies of UP (stood out),” she said.
“13, 10, 11, 1, 3, 18, ayan, memorize ko talaga,” added the charming Ateneo spiker after the tightly-fought contest.
Dorog had 14 points, Molde made 10, Buitre chipped in eight, Lai had a point and registered the team’s 27 excellent sets, while Layug contributed five, and Carlos poured in 12 markers.
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