FORMER Ateneo star Gretchen Ho believes that the team who wants it more will take the title in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.
After a straight set loss in the series opener, Ateneo bounced back and defeated University of Santo Tomas in four to force a rubber match.
The decider is set on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
“Ito tingin ko, who really wants it more,” said Ho. “‘Yung grit, kung sino ang may gigil. Bumalik na ang kumpyansa ng Ateneo eh. So it will be really who wants it more, all Game Three’s are about that.”
Ho is pleased to see that the Lady Eagles have regained momentum and confidence after a stunning loss in the series opener.
“They haven’t been playing like themselves, like noong first game hindi sila ‘yun. This game, first two sets hindi rin sila ‘yun, hinahanap pa nila ‘yung confidence nila sa finals series na ito,” said the former middle blocker who made three finals appearances with the Lady Eagles,
The volleyball star turned TV host believes Eya Laure leaving in the third set affected the match, but expects the UST rookie to recover quickly and deliver for UST in teh decider.
“Honestly, noong nawala si Eya, malaking factor kasi ‘yun eh, they took advantage of that,” said Ho. “Bilang isang sports fan and bilang isang atleta, hindi natin gusto ‘yung nangyari kay Eya. Sobrang fan din ako ni Eya. But ‘yun nga, it gave Ateneo the momentum and they took advantage of it.”
“Ang maganda dito pagdating natin sa Game Three it’s gonna be exciting because Eya’s gonna bounce back even stronger dahil may gigil eh, kita mo umiyak siya kanina,” she said.
“Tapos ‘yung Ateneo naman malalabas na nila ‘yung tunay nilang laro. So teamwork, smarter plays, better defense, that’s they key to winning,” she added.
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