Expect fallen Lady Eagles to take flight anew

MANILA, Philippines — It’s gonna be back to the drawing board for the fallen Ateneo Lady Eagles.

Missing out on the UAAP women’s volleyball finals for the first time in seven years, the Lady Eagles face a rebuilding process for Season 81 with coach Tai Bundit and top scorer Jho Maraguinot declaring their departure and key players Maddie Madayag and Bea de Leon undecided yet on returning.

“End of contract,” Bundit, who led AdMU to two titles, told reporters after Ateneo bombed out of the championship picture following a 20-21, 21-25, 25-14, 19-25 setback to No. 2 FEU.

Maraguinot said she wil opt out of her final year of eligibility.

“I think I’m done,” she said.

Both Madayag and De Leon were non-committal in coming back.

“Maybe,” Madayag responded to queries.

“It’s a possibility but I don’t want to make any rash decisions,” said De Leon.

Despite the earlier-than-usual exit, the Lady Eagles said reaching the semifinals this campaign was an achievement in itself, given the circumstances.

“We did good already. Top 3, we had new setter, new libero but we go to Final Four. Very good for me already,” said Bundit.

“Masasabi naman siguro na lumaban kami pero mas gusto lang ng FEU (we gave it a good fight but FEU just wanted it more) and I guess it’s a factor na maraming first time na babad sa game (we had so many players who just got playing time this year) and it’s a very young team,” said Madayag.

 “Disappointing loss but what we’ve accomplished is not disappointing because we made it this far as a team – kapos sa spiker, sobrang bago lang liberos (notwithstanding the lack of spikers and the inexperience of liberos),” the Ateneo skipper added.