IT'S easy to blame Ateneo's long-sleeved jerseys in its opening-day loss to University of the East in the UAAP volleyball tournament which kicked off last Friday. The fancied Blue Eagles fell to the Lady Warriors, a team which they had not lost to in 14 years.
READ: Casiey Dongallo leads impressive UE win over Ateneo in UAAP opener
But credit UE's gem-of-a-find in rookie Casiey Dongallo who scored a game-high 26 points on 26 attacks, one ace included, in subduing Ateneo, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18.
The loss surely got Ateneo's attention, but besides the game, the jerseys also got a second look and would likely be kept in the lockers when the team's next game comes around next weekend.
Behind the jersey mishap
You see, the long-sleeved blue and white, which may appear fetching and attractive, was worn by choice by the Blue Eagles.
But on Wednesday, however, the UAAP notified Ateneo that such long-sleeved jerseys are prohibited under FIVB rules.
The league did allow the Katipunan side to don their original kits for the opening game, at most, and must already be altered to the standard prescribed jersey style for the remainder of the season.
Bigger mistakes to address
Lyann De Guzman, who topscored for the Blue Eagles in their first loss to UE after 21 games and 14 years, emphasized the need for the young Ateneo side to not lose its focus after starting the match strong.
"For me, siguro consistency pa. Sa system ni Coach (Sergio Veloso), dapat mas mag-stick pa kami, especially pagdating sa dulo kasi you can see naman kanina, sorbang dikit nu'ng game pero pagdating sa dulo, du'n kami bumibitaw sa sistema ni coach.” said De Guzman.
"'Yun nga, parang confidence pa [rin dapat on our end] since kapag lumalamang sila, du'n kami parang mas bumabaon ulit," she added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
