PAST is past, and that's how Ateneo took its defeat to La Salle as it sprung back into action on Wednesday against Adamson.
"Tapos na yung game na yun. We don't dwell on the past," said top Ateneo block Maddie Madayag when asked about the Lady Eagles' zero-block performance against the Lady Spikers last April 13.
Ateneo was quick to move on after that letdown, rebounding with a straight-set win over the Adamson Lady Falcons where it recorded 11 blocks.
And what better way for them to truly show that they've moved on as Kat Tolentino ended the match with an emphatic block on Trisha Genesis to seal the deal for the Lady Eagles in the third set, 25-17.
Tolentino had five of her 17 points come off blocks, while Madayag, the tournament's best blocker at 0.90 blocks per set, got three blocks from her 13 markers.
Ateneo also stayed as the league's best blocking team at 2.37 per set.
Aside from putting that forgettable performance against the Lady Spikers behind them, the Lady Eagles are looking to regain peak form after a shaky performance heading to the Final Four.
"I think we can show more," said Madayag. "I don't think that's our best game. Medyo magulo rin kami. Kahit sabihin nating nanalo kami, I don't think it was convincing."
She elaborated: "Marami naman kaming pina-practice pero yung execution, medyo nawawala ang players. They get confused and nawawala ang focus sa game, yung presence of mind."
Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro echoed his player's sentiments.
"Kailangan naming mag-execute properly and to be mentally tough. The game today tested our mental toughess. Dapat kahit ano man ang ibigay ng setter, we have to do our job well," he said.
The Lady Eagles close out their eliminations assignment on Sunday against University of the East.
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