Fajardo, Morado 'crucial' in winning Ateneo-La Salle volleyball Finals

Defending champs De La Salle Lady Spikers and rival Ateneo Lady Eagles will meet for the sixth straight year as they battle for the UAAP Season 79 Women's Volleyball crown. With high caliber teams in contention for the prize, it would be difficult to determine the outcome of the battle.

Professional volleyball players Kara Acevedo, Melissa Gohing, and Dzi Gervacio in the #AskAway session conducted by the GMA News Social Media team on Wednesday.

Some players who donned their school colors said the integral part of this season's Finals series is the setter position.

In an #AskAway session of GMA News Social Media, professional volleyball players Kara Acevedo, Dzi Gervacio, and Melissa Gohing agreed that the setters, whose role was crucial during the Final 4 series, will be the matchup to watch out for in the sixth installment of the Ateneo-La Salle Finals.

"Ang edge din ng Ateneo and La Salle is they have the best setters in the league -- Jia Morado (Ateneo) and Kim Fajardo (La Salle). Crucial din kasi magkaroon ng magaling na setter," former Lady Eagle Gervacio said.

Jia Morado, who is taking up Psychology in Ateneo, made 34 excellent sets during their last outing against DLSU in the elimination rounds.

Meanwhile, La Salle's Kim Fajardo, a Sports Management major, tallied 40 on that game.

Ex-La Salle player Gohing said the two setters are also offensive players. "They're not just for setting. Ang galing din nila mag-serve, 'yung 1-2 plays nila, sobrang effective," she added.

Meanwhile, Acevedo, who also played for the Blue and White, described Morado and Fajardo's playmaking as 'magical.'

The three pros also agreed that either Morado or Fajardo has the upper hand to be the Finals MVP. "Unless someone will perform super crazy," Gervacio said in jest.

Strengths and weaknesses

While it is expected that both Ateneo and La Salle will pour it all out as they enter the Finals, the alumnae of both schools revealed what their former teams need to win.

Gohing said a great finisher is what La Salle needs to avoid a meltdown.

"[When they] start great, they have to end great. 'Yan 'yung kulang kasi grabe 'yung Ateneo kumapit. Competitive sila," she added.

For Ateneo, Gervacio pointed out that the Lady Eagles need to improve their receiving skills.

Acevedo also said that if liberos Gizelle Tan and Deanna Wong combine their efforts in that area, it can be a big boost for the team.

"Not to take away 'yung efforts nung team pero kasi alam naman natin na La Salle has Dawn Macandili and she's really a big factor," noted Acevedo.

Repeat or Revenge?

Ateneo swept La Salle during the elimination rounds. The Katipunan-based squad won in straight sets during their first meeting, while the ladies from Taft won only a single set during their second round encounter.

Asked if the trend will continue or if La Salle can make a comeback, the three former college players said chances for both schools are equal.

Gohing also noted that the extension of the break due to the ASEAN Summit will give both teams more time to prepare.

Ateneo and La Salle will face off each other starting Tuesday, May 2, at the Araneta Coliseum. — BAP, GMA News