jilipark UAAP: Ateneo faces early adversity after Zel Tsunashima injury

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Medical team attends to Ateneo’s Zel Tsunashima, who hurt her left leg in the fifth set of the Blue Eagles’ loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso perfectly typified the Blue Eagles’ camaraderie after the squad’s season-opening loss to Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Dropping the first game of the season is one thing and losing one of your key cogs to an apparent serious injury so early in the tournament is another heartbreak that could mentally break a team.

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Fortunately for the Blue Eagles, they have a mental leader in Veloso that is more than capable of keeping the team together.

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‘GOD HAS A PURPOSE’ 🙏

WATCH: Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso sends an empowering message to Zel Tsunashima, who suffered a freak injury in the Blue Eagles’ loss to Adamson. #UAAPSeason87 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/96KNpdznbA

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 16, 2025

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“God has a purpose. All the time, we talk to the players and we tell them that they need strong hearts and minds but sometimes, God pushes us but we don’t know the purpose,” said the Brazilian mentor in an interview with Inquirer Sports.

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“I told her to relax, she can fix this [injury]… Of course, I know it’s hard for her because she worked hard all season.”

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Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso during a game against Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

In the fifth set of a highly intense match against Adamson, Tsunashima hurt her left leg on a block attempt and had to be stretchered off the court.

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Tsunashima’s absence was greatly felt by Ateneo, which faltered late en route to a 25-21, 25-20, 12-25, 15-25, 12-15 setback.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament first round

“Unfortunately, I think it’s bad, I think she broke it (leg). In this situation, she may not play this season but she is still [on] our team,” said Veloso.

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“She’s staying with us. No matter if she stays inside the court, on the bench with us, she’s a part of our team. Everybody will stay together and everybody will stay with her,” he concluded.

The Blue Eagles look to draw inspiration from Tsunashima when they plunge back into action on Wednesday against defending champion National University.

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