Ateneo de Manila University team captain Lyann de Guzman (#16) in their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball ender. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University seniors Lyann de Guzman and AC Miner showed out in their last UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game on Saturday.

The two standouts led the Blue Eagles in their season-ending victory vs. University of the East, one which came in a hard-earned four-setter, and this allowed the Sergio Veloso-coached squad to list five wins despite their roster battling through injuries.

It was the second straight season wherein the proud institution finished with a 5-9 record after 14 games, and while both players lamented what could have been sans the respective injuries of Sobe Buena, JLo Delos Santos, and Zel Tsunashima, de Guzman and Miner opt to look on the positives.

“Tinanggap ko lang,” said de Guzman, who finished with 13 points, 18 digs, and 17 receptions. “Siyempre, hindi natin yun gusto, pero nangyari talaga. But sabi nga namin, kung ano meron tayo, maghatakan tayo sa isa’t-isa kasi dun lang tayo huhugot ng lakas.

“Mahirap tanggapin,” emphasized Miner. “Pero siyempre, hindi namin hahayaan na iisipin lang namin yung nangyari na. Siyempre, lumaban kami para mabigyan namin yung best na results for them.”

The still duo managed to lift their short-staffed roster and come out on top in their Season 87 ender, but was that the last time that they stepped foot on the UAAP taraflex?

“Sa dami ng nangyari, sayang talaga kasi sobrang laking opportunity nitong season for us,” pointed out de Guzman. “But bina-balance out ko rin at kailangan ko rin mag-isip kung ano ba talaga ang right path for me. Nag de-decide ako ngayon kung ano yung para sa future.”

Ateneo de Manila University star AC Miner in their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball ender. Photo from UAAP Media.“Ang daming what-ifs this season: What if nakalaro si ganito? What if this never happened?” Miner said. “Hindi man namin inabot yung goal namin, pero we’re very proud pa rin kami sa team.”

“Then siguro, in line na lang rin kami sa academics kasi matatapos na kami this year. The decision for one more year is 50-50,” she furthered.

But while both players factored Ateneo’s injury-riddled roster in Seaosn 87, turning professional is still among the choices, they said.

“To be honest, yes [naisip ko na mag pro before this season],” bared de Guzman. “Pero nafeel ko kasi na kaya sana naming mag Final 4.”

“Meron nang [nag reach out,] pero syempre nasa result pa rin ng draft kung anong mangyayari,” added Miner.

If both players are to go pro, they are among the top prospects in the upcoming PVL Draft tentatively scheduled on June 7.

On the other hand, they will be exhausting their last year of eligibility if they opt to play in Season 88 in 2026.