ATENEO coach Oliver Almadro offered no explanations following his side's straight-sets Game One defeat to University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball Finals on Saturday.
"Next time na," he said, politely declining interviews from reporters following the Lady Eagles' 25-17, 25-16, 25-20 loss to the Golden Tigresses.
The whole team followed suit, leaving Smart Araneta Coliseum without speaking a word.
Almadro couldn't help but allude to how luck smiled Ateneo's way when it begged off from interviews after a loss.
"Naniniwala ako sa feng shui. Nung hindi niyo kasi ako kinausap, nanalo kami. Thank you very much," he said as he made his way out of the venue.
The Lady Eagles could not capitalize on their twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, losing in five sets, 10-25, 25-23, 25-22, 12-25, 15-8 against the FEU Lady Tamaraws and refused to speak to reporters last Saturday.
Ateneo went on and bounced back with a huge four-setter victory, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 25-14, on Wednesday to book a return trip to the championship round.
It has yet to be seen if a deja vu is in store for the Lady Eagles, but for that to happen, they have to rectify their problems as they were held to just five blocks and could not stop Sisi Rondina's onslaught as the soon-to-be-named MVP poured 23 points in the triumph.
Rondina's 20 kills almost equalized Ateneo's total of 24 in the match.
Also an issue was the Lady Eagles' reception, allowing the Golden Tigresses to score 10 service aces against just one.
Almadro, however, hopes that the volleyball god's smile their way come Wednesday as Ateneo aims to equalize the series in Game Two.
"Pray for us na may Game Three," he said as the series shifts at Mall of Asia Arena. "Sana may Game Three. Mas maganda kung may Game Three."
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