UAAP: With sweep complete, Valdez credits Ateneo's super rookies

Alyssa Valdez may have had 29 points, but she placed a lot of credit on rookies Bea De Leon and Jho Maraguinot in handing Ateneo the sweep of the elimination round of the UAAP Women's Volleyball Tournament.

"[Si Jho] clutch talaga yan. Even sa training, pag pumapalo yan, nakatingin lang kaming lahat, whoa, Jho, paano mo nagawa yun," said Valdez. "Ganun kami. We compliment each other kasi kailangan mo i-reward yung teammates mo. Si Jho talaga ginagawa niya talaga sa training yun, and luckily nangyari ngayon at nabigay niya."

Ateneo had a tigher rotation than La Salle, playing only their first six in Valdez, Michelle Morente, Ella De Jesus, Jia Morado, Bea De Leon, Amy Ahomiro, while Maraguinot came off the bench. Den Lazaro was also solid at the libero spot.

"Kahit sino ipasok mo: Jho, Mitch [Morente], I'm really happy na ganun yung pinakita ni Jho kasi first playing year nya sa UAAP ganun kalakas yung loob nya," Valdez added of Maraguinot who scored 10 points. "Sana natulungan namin siya na lumakas yung loob nya. Sana natulungan siya ni coach na lumakas yung loob nya. Sana ito yung start na magtuluy-tuloy talaga yung confidence niya. Tahimik yan. Silent killer talaga."

Valdez also praised the play of comebacking Bea De Leon, who scored 11 markers.

"[Si] Bea grabeng rookie talaga. As in si Bea sobrang hardworking niya. Kung makikita niyo yan sa training kahit ganyan yan [injured], nagte-training pa rin yan, pumupunta pa rin yan sa training," Valdez said. "Lahat ng nakikita natin, pinaghirapan niya yun. Ibigay talaga natin kay Bea."

The Ateneo team captain praised not just De Leon's point production, but her on-court intensity as well:

"Sobrang laki ng naco-contribute niya not only sa points, even pag nakikita niyo yung reaction niya sa court lahat kami mabubuhayan parang, Bea, relax lang. She's really hardworking. Lahat ng qualities ng isang player na gugustuhin mo na kay Bea talaga." - GMA News