Fab five (Ateneo)

Ahomiro, Lazaro, de Jesus and Valdez

The Ateneo de Manila University collegiate women's varsity volleyball team has been recruiting groups of five players from time to time over the years. The 2008 batch is referred to as the Fabulous Five or Fab 5 by the Ateneo community and fans. The 2010 and 2013 batches were all members of the Ateneo team that made history by winning Ateneo's first volleyball championship in the UAAP women's volleyball senior division in season 76 (2013–14).^[1]

In the UAAP Season 77 (2014–15), the Lady Eagles won their second straight title by sweeping all the games for a perfect season (16 wins – 0 losses).^[2]

Class 2008

Fille Saint Merced Cainglet

Fille Cainglet plays the position of Open Hitter in volleyball. While playing in the UAAP, a collegiate varsity league she was voted as one of the most improved volleyball players in the tournament. Her elevation and her aggressiveness attracted so many fans. Her amazing spikes and digs helped her team, the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles reach the Finals of UAAP Season 74 (2011) and UAAP Season 75 (2012). She is currently playing for Petron Blaze Spikers, a semi-pro volleyball club team in the Philippines.

Jamenea Ferrer

Jem Ferrer plays the position of Setter in volleyball and is recognized as one of the best in that position in Philippine volleyball. She received 5 best setter awards while playing in high school and college. Though small in height, this did not prevent her from excelling in playing the setter position. In UAAP Season 72, playing on her second year in the UAAP, She received the Best Setter award. She also won the Best Setter award on Season 73, on her last playing year in Ateneo, she won the Best Setter award for the third time. She was a member of the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles volleyball team that reached the Finals back-to-back in the UAAP Season 74 (2011) and UAAP Season 75 (2012). After graduating from college Jem continued to play in a club volleyball league. She is currently a member of the PLDT Home Telpad Turbo Boosters, a semi-pro volleyball club team in the Philippines.

Angeline Marie Gervacio

Dzi Gervacio is a former Ateneo Lady Eagles standout volleyball player, known for her jump serves. She plays the opposite hitter position. Because of her strong attacks and jump serves, she helped the Lady Blue Eagles to two finals appearances in the UAAP Season 74 and UAAP Season 75.

Gretchen Ho

Ho is a former Lady Eagle standout, known for her beauty that the fans like to cheer her and she plays Middle Hitter. Because of her quick attacks, she gave the Lady Blue Eagles a finals appearance in the UAAP Season 74 and UAAP Season 75 where they failed to capture the title. She scored no points in her last game in the UAAP Season 75 Finals.

Ailysse Nacachi

A is a former Lady Eagle standout. A is known for her aggressiveness at the net. She might be underrated but not undervalued.

Class 2010

Alyssa Valdez

Valdez is arguably the most powerful volleyball spiker in the Philippines. She was named the Phenom of volleyball in the Philippines. Valdez received many MVP awards because of her playing skills. She led the Ateneo Lady Blue Spikers to their first and second championship in the UAAP. She led the PLDT Home Telpad Turbo Boosters to their first championship in the Shakey's V-League. She is the first woman who received 4 awards in one season in the UAAP. She scored more than 30 points in one game. Currently the recordholder for the most points made in a game in the Philippines. (39 points on an SVL game last 10/5/2016)

Jorella Marie de Jesus

Ella is the one of the smallest players and one of the smallest spikers in the country but her elevation is high. She can play multiple positions like Open Hitter/Opposite/Libero. She is part of the Ateneo's back-to-back titles. She was also part of the U-23 lineup with team captain Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado and Bea De Leon.

Dennise Michelle Lazaro

Denden is considered as one of the Best Liberos in the Philippines. She received multiple Best Receiver and Best Digger Awards. She is part of the Ateneo's back-to-back titles.

Rongomaipapa Amy Ahomiro

Amy is a lefty Middle Hitter recruited from New Zealand. She is part of the Ateneo's back-to-back titles. And she became the UAAP season 77 Finals MVP.

Bea Tan

Bea is one of the player who has versatile position. She was part of the Ateneo's first championship.

Class 2013

Julia Melissa Morado

Jia Morado replaced Jem Ferrer as main setter for the Lady Blue Eagles in season 76 (2013–14). Jia was instrumental in Ateneo's first and second UAAP volleyball championships. She bagged the Best Setter Award last season 77 of the UAAP Women's Volleyball tournament. She was also part of the U-23 and SEA games line-up and was the main and only setter of the team.

Michelle Kathereen Morente

Mich Morente played the role of spark plug of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in seasons 76 (2013–14) and 77 (2014–15). Mich replaced Dzi Gervacio in the position of opposite hitter. She was part of Ateneo's back-to-back titles. In season 78 (2015–16), Morente was dropped from the team roster so she can concentrate on her academics.Currently the captain of the Lady Eagles for this season(Season 79)

Kassarandra Miren Gequillana

Kim Gequillana is known to be a very productive player for the Lady Eagles. She replaced Amy Ahomiro as utility after Maddie Madayag's injury and earned her spot in the starters. She has taken part in Ateneo's back-to-back titles.

Ana Laureen Gopico

Ana Gopico was part of Ateneo's first ever UAAP volleyball championship. Ana is a Middle Hitter/Blocker and was a highly recruited player from Colegio de San Agustin in high school. She played for the National Capital Region volleyball team in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa where she won the MVP award. She is the third high scorer for ateneo in season 76, averaging 8.4 points per game. She is currently out of the Ateneo varsity volleyball team due to an ACL injury on her left knee which she acquired during Season 76 (2013–14) and another recent (2015) ACL injury on her right knee.

Jamie Isabelle Lavitoria

Jamie Lavitoria was part of the Ateneo's back-to-back championship. Formerly a setter during her high school years in California, US, she was recruited by Ateneo to be part of the team. She is currently playing right now as a Libero/Setter.

Class 2014

Isabel Beatriz De Leon

Bea de Leon is a 5'11 Middle Blocker of the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Bea was part of the Ateneo's second UAAP volleyball championship. She was also a member of the 2015 Philippine national U-23 team, along with three other Ateneo Lady Eagles. She was also the 2nd best middle blocker last UAAP season 78

Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot

Jhoana Maraguinot is a member of the Ateneo Lady Eagles since Season 77. In season 77, she was one of the secret weapons of Ateneo. In season 78, she earned a spot in the starters replacing Ella De Jesus as the Outside Spiker. She was the 2nd high scorer for Ateneo, behind by Alyssa Valdez. She was also a member of the 2015 Philippine national u-23 team along with De Jesus, De Leon and Valdez. She played for De La Salle-Lipa during her high school years and a native of Dominador East, Alitagtag, Batangas. She comes from a volleyball-playing family. Her mother, Lovel Agno used to be a varsity volleyball player for Adamson University. Her younger sister, Janel, plays for the high school varsity volleyball team of De La Salle Lipa as a setter who was awarded best setter at the 2016 Palarong Pambansa.

Therese Marie Marguerette Gaston

Therese Gaston was a member of the Ateneo women's varsity volleyball team that won Ateneo's second women's volleyball championship in UAAP season 77 (2014–15). Therese was recruited from the Junior Golden Tigresses, the high school girls' varsity volleyball team of the University of Santo Tomas. As of now,she dropped out of the group due to some reasons and she tried out as a courtside reporter.

Madeleine Yrenea Madayag

Maddie Madayag, a middle blocker, is known for her aggressiveness at the net. She was a member of the Ateneo women's varsity volleyball team that won the team's back-to-back women's volleyball championships in Seasons 76 and 77.

During the second round of eliminations of the UAAP Season 78 volleyball tournament, Madayag suffered an Anterior cruciate ligament injury on her right knee that caused her to stop playing for the rest of the season. The injury happened during the spiking drill in one of the team's practice sessions on March 16, 2016. Madayag underwent surgery and was replaced by Amy Ahomiro in her present position.^[3][4]

Katrina Mae Tolentino

Kat Tolentino is a recruit from Canada. Kat is a Fil-Canadian from Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. After undergoing a one-year residency, she was eligible to play and was listed in the roster of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in 2015. The team joined the Shakey's V-League, a preseason volleyball tournament held during summer. Unfortunately, her playing career was again put on hold when her right knee suffered an ACL injury while doing warm-ups before the team's first game.

See also

• Ateneo Blue Eagles
• Ateneo de Manila University
• Ateneo-La Salle rivalry
• Ateneo Lady Blue Spikers

References