UAAP: Ateneo coach stays optimistic despite slim Final Four chances
Ateneo Blue Eagles during a game against UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo may not be in the best spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament standings, but coach Sergio Veloso is keeping an optimistic approach for the Blue Eagles’ pursuit of a Final Four spot.
On Saturday, Ateneo’s playoff chances grew slimmer after absorbing a straight-sets loss at the hands of the University of Santo Tomas, 15-25, 24-26, 24-26.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament
Veloso certainly knows where the Blue Eagles stand after that defeat but he’s not about to quit now, considering the squad still has a chance to make it to the Final Four.
Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso remains optimistic on the Blue Eagles’ (4-7) chances of reaching the #UAAPSeason87 Final Four. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/gO5EMJBPrC
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 5, 2025
“After the opponent’s won, of course everybody was a little down but tomorrow, we’ll rest, then think of the next match because if you want to be in the Top 4, the next match has to be the most important,” said Veloso in an interview with Inquirer Sports at Araneta Coliseum.
“If we win, we can stay near [the races]. I know it’s a little hard but it will depend on us. We need to win our matches.”
After the loss to the Golden Tigresses, Ateneo slid to a 4-7 card for the sixth seed, just a win above Adamson (3-7) but two games behind the University of the Philippines (5-5).
LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball – UST vs Ateneo, La Salle vs UE
For Ateneo to pull off a torrid second-round comeback, Veloso hopes to instill a mindset of all-out effort in the Blue Eagles—urging them to give everything they’ve got against any opponent that comes their way.
“You need to think point by point, match by match and for us the most important match is the next match,” he said. “We need to create the mentality that no matter who we face or play, you have to try your best all the time.”
Despite Ateneo’s loss, the duo of AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman went down swinging as they tallied 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Blue Eagles hope to stay alive on Wednesday then they take on the Far Eastern University at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
