UAAP: Ateneo keeps fighting despite still hunting for first win

Despite a 0-4 start in UAAP Season 88, Ateneo de Manila University continues to press on with heads held high.

Co-captain JLo Delos Santos emphasized that, despite the standings, the Blue Eagles have displayed grit and determination throughout their first four games.

“We’ve really shown a great fight and I really want to emphasize our capability…I think that’s really something that we really need to keep holding onto,” Delos Santos told GMA News Online.

In their loss today against rivals De La Salle University, the Katipunan-based squad became the first team this season to claim a set over last year’s finalists.

The Blue Eagles also went to the five-set limit against neighbors University of the Philippines last February 22, and despite the straight sets loss, put up a valiant fight against University of Santo Tomas last February 25.

However, acknowledging that their performances have not led to victories, the Blue Eagle co-captain asserted that more work has to be done in order for them to get favorable results moving forward.

“We are a strong team that should not be counted out. In spite of our record today, it doesn’t give the fight we give to the opponents any justice. We know that even though we haven’t been winning, we know that we didn’t give those wins right away.”

“But, it just goes to show that there’s really so much work that needs to be done because even though we were able to get a set from them [DLSU], we weren’t able to continue that momentum and eventually get the win that we really wanted to get today,” said Delos Santos.

Determined to turn their early season tribulations into fuel for future endeavors, Delos Santos asserted the Blue Eagles will do their best to turn their fortunes around.

“Coming into the next few games, mas panghuhugutan namin 'yun…If we play more consistently, we can eventually get the desired wins that we really want to get.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News