MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University's Deanna Wong is unlikely to repeat as the league's Best Setter in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament, but the playmaker has her eye on a more important goal.

Wong was the Best Setter in Season 80, but the Lady Eagles also saw their streak of six consecutive finals appearances come to an end against Far Eastern University (FEU) in the Final 4.

This time around, Wong will likely cede the Best Setter award to University of the East's Lai Bendong, who averaged 6.81 excellent sets per set at the end of the elimination round. Wong finished second, with an average of 6.29 excellent sets per set.

While many of her fans are disappointed that Wong won't add another trophy to her collection, the Ateneo player herself is unbothered.

• CAMPEONE: Year of the Tiger

"Individual awards naman come when team success happens," she said, repeating one of the favorite philosophies of head coach Oliver Almadro.

"My main goal talaga is not becoming Best Setter, but to win a championship for the seniors – Ate Kat (Tolentino), Ate Bea (de Leon), Ate Maddie (Madayag)," she stressed. "It's really that."

The Lady Eagles booked a return trip to the finals in Season 81, beating FEU in a do-or-die Final 4 game last Wednesday. Wong contributed 3 points and 19 excellent sets in their 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 25-14 triumph.

The win propelled Ateneo to a best-of-3 finals series against University of Santo Tomas (UST), with the Lady Eagles eyeing their first crown since Season 77.

For Wong, it is her third finals appearance, but the first time where she will be truly one of the featured players. She was a rookie in Season 78, when Alyssa Valdez led the Lady Eagles to the championship round where they lost to La Salle. In Season 79, she played mostly as a libero, and the Jia Morado-led Lady Eagles also bowed to their archrivals in the finals.

"It'd be really great to help lead the team to a championship," said Wong. "First year, I was just on the sidelines cheering. It's a really great feeling to be inside the court during championship moments, and hold the team and make crucial decisions."

With a chance to end Ateneo's title drought, Wong said her full focus is on how to help the team get past the Sisi Rondina-powered Golden Tigresses.

"Being Best Setter will come," she said. "But championships are what we strive for."

"I already have an award, and I don't have a championship yet," she pointed out. "It's much harder to earn championships."

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.