Cheyenne Suarez

UAAP: Taks Fujimoto hails teammates as 11-strong Ateneo boosts Final 4 hopes

Article (news)

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743475865279IMG_6646.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Ateneo de Manila University’s Taks Fujimoto in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.Ateneo de Manila University’s Taks Fujimoto in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media."/>Ateneo de Manila University’s Taks Fujimoto in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.</div>MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University is within distance of a spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4, all thanks to their three-game win streak. Despite the injuries of Sobe Buena, Zel Tsunashima, and JLo Delos Santos, the Blue Eagles are just a win away from .500, 4-5, and this puts them in a good spot to chase University of Santo Tomas (5-4) and University of the Philippines (5-5). For Taks Fujimoto, one factor that helped in their current surge is how their injured teammates are still making their presence felt even with their setbacks. “We see them going to our training and to our games, and they also give their 110 percent cheering for us,” said Fujimoto, who tossed 17 excellent sets with five points and a dig in their sweep of Adamson University last Saturday. “Dun kami humuhugot ng strength.” “Nai-inspire kami to do our 110 percent to give the Ateneo that our community wants to see, and the team that we want them to see,” she added. But aside from the much-needed boost that they have been getting, just as admirable, according to Fujimoto, is their 11-strong squad which is working hard to hold the fort for the short-staffed Ateneans. “‘Di na namin iniisip na 11 na lang kami. Instead, iniisip namin na, ‘11 kami, kaya namin.’ Those are really different,” she pointed out. “Kahit kaunti na lang kami, we will still fight, kasi alam ko na yung mga teammates ko, they will not give up. Everyone is given more opportunity to play, and I know that they can really push further for a Final 4 spot.” “Everyone really embraced their roles, and I’m confident that they can do more, especially our rookies,” said Fujimoto. Next up for the Sergio Veloso-coached squad is a clash with their lifelong rival De La Salle University on Wednesday, 1 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum. And for Ateneo to extend their streak further, Fujimoto emphasized how she must continue doing her part of setting her teammates up in their recent success. “I need to be composed,” she said. “Pero step by step lang, kasi they help me, so I’ll help them. “<div> RELATED VIDEO: </div><div> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZcNUlciaj_k?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Ateneo de Manila University is within distance of a spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4, all thanks to their three-game win streak.

Ateneo de Manila University is within distance of a spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4, all thanks to their three-game win streak.