All seemed lost for the Ateneo Lady Eagles early in game 2 of the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Volleyball Tournament Finals, until they spread their wings and never looked back to stun the De La Salle Lady Spikers in a rousing comeback win.
On the back of the 5-set thriller, the hashtags #BringBackTheGloryAteneo and #BringItHomeDLSU combined for more than half a million tweets Wednesday night.
It’s no surprise to have trending hashtags every time these bitter rivals battle, but the way the game played out didn’t hurt the social media explosion from both the mammoth 20,541-member crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena and the Team Bahay fans who were following the game.
And follow and tweet Team Bahay did, even though they may have not been inside the MOA Arena.
Team Bahay/Team Twitter got no chill, too ???? CONGRATS TO US!! #BringBackTheGloryAteneo pic.twitter.com/fhQbzUBuJH
— JiaGuel (@TeamJiaGuel) April 27, 2016
Early in the match, fans couldn’t help but compare the Ateneo-La Salle fight to blockbuster movies, especially given that superhero fight movies are coming out left and right.
@MrPureBusiness go batman! @VSGalang
— Armylene Posada (@armzkie18) April 27, 2016
EVERYONE WILL MISS THIS.
GADEZ SHOWDOWN!#BringItHomeDLSU— Domine Opus Tuum (@yeyefanaticss) April 27, 2016
Then DLSU built a 2-0 lead via comeback in Set 2 after being down 20-24.
“When the arrows fly, eagles die.” #BringItHomeDLSU
— Damn Feelings ☾ (@UlulYou) April 27, 2016
Many thought that could be it…
That La Salle comeback could be the death blow for Ateneo. Incredible!
— Jonas Terrado (@jonastsinelas) April 27, 2016
Then this happened, which may have cause some heart attacks or at least serious palpitations. It only added to the already high tension.
Ara Galang headed into the La Salle dugout in tears. She was followed by the team’s PT.
— Benggadora (@Benggadora08) April 27, 2016
But we imagine volleyball fans gave out a collective sigh of relief when she came back.
Report say Ara Galang has been brought to the dugout to be checked #BringItHomeDLSU
— Go Archers (@GoArchers) April 27, 2016
From set 3, however, Alyssa Valdez took over and led the stunning comeback from being on the brink of losing it all.
Beast, Halimaw, Bagyong Baldo, The Phenom, Queen Eagle all in one person, the one and only @AlyssaValdez2 ???? #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— Ate Ne-yo (@LadyEaglesWVT) April 27, 2016
ALE LTRLLY BOUNCED BACK, THEY WERE DOWN 2 SETS THEN WON THE NEXT 3 OMFG I LOVE YOU ALL, HEARTSTRONG!!!!#BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— oliverrkyle (@oliverrkyle) April 27, 2016
“Alyssa Valdez” will be written on history books. There are no words for her talents and capabilities. #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— Al John Snow (@ZupItsAJ) April 27, 2016
Never underestimate the heart of the champion.#BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— A U R A (@AuraBanats) April 27, 2016
An eagle isn’t defined by how high he flies, but on how he handles the turbulence coming his way. One Big Fight. #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— ️ (@thequeeneagle_) April 27, 2016
Lasalle showed a come back on the second set. But ateneo showed lasalle what’s the true meaning of come back. #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— Toph – eng (@TophSamson) April 27, 2016
34 points!! our Phenom, our Captain, our one and only Aly @AlyssaValdez2 ??✊ I salute you my idol ? #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— hya (@hyacinthdeduyo) April 27, 2016
The definition of heartstrong ? #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— Kaye ✌ (@kayequiambao_) April 27, 2016
And this might be the best rebuttal to the earlier tweet when DLSU was up 2 sets to none.
When the arrows fail, eagles prevail????#BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— ✌️JAM✌️ (@Slutxlwt) April 27, 2016
Even former Lady Eagles showed support online.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION ??
— Dennise Lazaro (@denniselazaro) April 27, 2016
ONE BIG FIGHT!!!!! See you at Game 3!
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) April 27, 2016
#BringBackTheGloryAteneo ? When did we ever lose it? #KeepTheGloryAteneo
— Bea Tan (@beaistan) April 27, 2016
Come Saturday, it will be a rubber match, sudden death, winner-take-all, win-or-go-home – whatever fans may want to call it. Or maybe, it’s a watch at home game? This is the downside of the most anticipated Game 3.
GUYS TICKET SA SAT PLEASE. ? #BringBackTheGloryAteneo
— Wag Assuming (@WagAssuming) April 27, 2016
— By John Bryan Ulanday