BY Gwen Bergado
AFTER a lackluster first round with a 2-5 slate, Ateneo has, all of a sudden, turned the tides to its favor, now riding a three-game winning streak.
READ: Ateneo serves cold revenge on Nitura-led Adamson
For setter Taks Fujimoto, the Blue Eagles' recent red-hot run is all about fessing up to their flaws and finding a way to improve on them.
“Coming to the second round, we’re more confident. We really know ano ‘yung mali and we really focus on those,” she expressed after their straight-sets victory vs. Adamson.
“Mas naintindihan namin ‘yung system ni coach [Sergio Veloso],” she furthered, as she dropped 17 excellent sets laced with five points on three attacks and two aces.
Losing wingers Jlo Delos Santos, Zel Tsunashima, and Sobe Buena all in the span of a few weeks dealt a huge blow to the blue-and-white, but fortunately, their younger players took on the challenge of carrying a bigger burden.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that Fujomoto herself has taken a more active role, backstopping co-captains Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner in spearheading suddenly-resurgent Ateneo.
As the 24-year-old playmaker worded it out, “As the setter, It’s my job to give them assurance na I am just here to set. Gawin ko best ko, gawin nyo best niyo.”
Set it up
As such, Fujimoto emphasized communication and trust will continue to be key for the now-4-5 Blue Eagles.
“I really talk to them, I really ask them anong gusto nilang set, anong tamang set na ibibigay ko sa kanila. So everything is really on the communication side and trusting each other,” she said.
The setter and her teammates will look to continue their hot streak by re-engaging with archrival La Salle on April 2.
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