BY Gwen Bergado
WITH Ateneo stumbling to back-to-back defeats at the onset of UAAP Season 87, it needed wind beneath its wings to take flight.
Enter Sobe Buena.
With the outside hitter finally taking the taraflex again, the Blue Eagles finally barged into the win column after dominating the University of the Philippines in straight sets.
READ: Returning Sophia Buena, Ateneo wake UP from dream start
Fighting through a sprained left ankle sustained last February 13, Buena spearheaded the blue-and-white with a 17-point performance built on 15 attacks, a block, and an ace alongside six digs and four receptions.
“It was me, and it was J.Lo [Delos Santos] and it was Zel [Tsunashima]. So that’s really like it was a string of injuries for us,” she said, describing the spate of injuries that has plagued their start to the season.
Tsunashima sustained a leg injury in their first match, when just before their season-opener, Delos Santos suffered an ACL tear in their last training.
“We have to work together now more than ever lalo na we’re two people short,” the top scorer added on how they motivate each other following their setbacks.
Buena out for more
In particular, Buena said she can do much more to help Ateneo rise from the bottom of the standings and back into the playoff picture after a two-year absence.
“Honestly, feel ko mas may ilalabas pa ko. I think I’m still gonna continue doing my therapy and still really try to get my 100-percent mode back,” she said.
Her and the Blue Eagles hope to keep it up in their face-off with FEU next Sunday.
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