MANILA, Philippines—The Ateneo Lady Eagles still consider themselves a below-average team, even after winning three straight games and gaining sole possession of third place in the UAAP Season 80 women's volleyball tournament.

After back-to-back losses to start its campaign, Ateneo appears to have righted the ship and even notched a breakthrough victory on Wednesday, when the Lady Eagles downed Adamson University in five sets. Their two losses — to National University and to Far Eastern University — went the distance.

"Pinakita talaga namin na lumalaban talaga kami, compared sa other (five-set games)," said Ateneo captain Maddie Madayag, who had 14 points – including four blocks – in their win over the Lady Falcons.

Madayag feels that the Lady Eagles are now steadily improving, but still gives her team just a grade of "C-plus" after five games. For the veteran middle blocker, there is still plenty of things that they need to work on.

"Nawawala (kami) sa focus, especially kapag nagkakamali 'yung team namin," said Madayag. "Nawawala sa focus, 'di na masyado nakakapuntos."

"At saka receive talaga," she added. " 'Yun naman talaga 'yung problema namin ever since, pero we're working on it. And obviously, it's evident naman na nag-i-improve rin."

Indeed, Ateneo has been shoring up its service reception in recent games. The Lady Eagles gave up only 10 aces to Adamson on Wednesday, and now have a 20.63% efficiency, a marked improvement from the 17.79% they posted last week.

Veteran open spiker Jhoana Maraguinot also gave Ateneo just a passing mark — 70 to 80% — so far in the season.

"Siguro, nara-rattle kami 'pag lumalamang sa amin 'yung kalaban," she said.

This is an observation shared by Madayag, who noted that her team tended to clam up whenever it encountered adversity in-game, instead of tapping into its "happy, happy" mentality.

" 'Di kami masyadong nagsasalita sa loob ng court," Madayag explained. "Hindi masyadong nagsasalita, nawawala sila kanilang presence, nawala sa focus."

Still, both veterans also point out that there is plenty of time for the Lady Eagles to improve.

"Halfway through pa lang naman kami ng first round," said Maraguinot.

"Unti-unti kaming umaangat," added Madayag.

The Lady Eagles return to action on Sunday, when they take on University of the Philippines in the Battle of Katipunan.

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