Okay, let’s talk about that UAAP Season 76 Women’s Volleyball Finals Game 3. I remember clearing my schedule for this one. You just had to. After Ateneo managed to snag Game 2, the buzz for Game 3 was just crazy intense. La Salle was supposed to be unbeatable, right? Going for their fourth straight title, swept the elims, had that huge advantage. But Ateneo, they just wouldn’t quit.
So, I got myself set up, snacks ready, glued to the screen. Honestly, part of me thought La Salle would just come back angry and finish it in Game 3. They were the champs, the experienced team. You kind of expected them to put their foot down. The first part of the game felt a bit like that, tight sets, back and forth.
Watching the Tides Turn
But then you started seeing it. Ateneo wasn’t just hanging around; they were pushing, really pushing. Alyssa Valdez was just something else, hitting from everywhere. But it wasn’t just her. The whole Ateneo team seemed to have this belief, you could almost feel it through the screen. Their digs, their blocks, they were playing out of their minds. La Salle looked… well, they looked rattled, which was weird to see back then.
I remember a few specific moments, maybe not the exact plays, but the feeling:
- Long rallies: There were these crazy long rallies where the ball just wouldn’t drop. Both sides scrambling, diving, keeping it alive. It was edge-of-your-seat stuff. You’d hold your breath until the point was finally scored.
- The crowd noise: Even on TV, the roar from the arena was insane. Every point felt huge. You could tell the energy was electric in there.
- Seeing doubt?: Maybe I imagined it, but you could kinda see the pressure mounting on La Salle. Passes weren’t as crisp, some attacks went wide. It wasn’t the usual smooth machine.
The Unbelievable Finish
As the match went on, especially into the later sets, the idea that Ateneo could actually win this game started to feel real. It wasn’t just hope anymore. They were executing. They matched La Salle point for point, and then started pulling ahead when it mattered.
And then they actually did it. Ateneo won Game 3. I remember just sitting there for a second, like, “Did that just happen?” They forced a Game 4. Against that La Salle team, coming from that huge disadvantage. It was nuts. All the predictions, all the expectations, just thrown out the window.
It wasn’t the championship game yet, but winning Game 3 felt massive. It showed Ateneo truly believed they could beat the unbeatable team, and they made everyone else believe it too. What a game to watch, really unforgettable stuff. Just pure heart and determination on display.
