ATENEO BOUND: USJ-R setter recruited by UAAP champs

Ma. Deanna Izabella Wong (right) is set to join one of her idols, UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez (left) on the floor next season as part of the Ateneo Lady Eagles. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The nest of the reigning UAAP champions Ateneo Lady Eagles just got a southern shot in the arm after they successfully recruited the University of San Jose-Recoletos’ comely setter Ma. Deanna Izabella Wong to join them for the upcoming season.

With several key players departing from Ateneo, including Denden Lazaro, Ella de Jesus and Aerieal Patnongon, Ateneo was keen on getting Wong to back up starting setter Julia Melissa “Jia” Morado.

The development happened to be a match made in heaven as the 5-foot-7 stunner admitted to Cebu Daily News in an exclusive interview that the Katipunan-based school happened to be her “dream school.”

Although it is amusing to note that Wong first had her eyes set on joining the blue and white’s bitter rivals La Salle, but that was before Ateneo walloped the Lady Spikers for their first-ever crown back in 2014.

“At first, La Salle was my preferred school because they kept on beating Ateneo and I looked up to Mika Reyes,” Wong said. “In fact, I wear the same jersey number as her. But when Ateneo finally beat La Salle, I saw the effort that they put into it and that was when I first entertained thoughts of joining Ateneo.”

After a mildly successful junior season with USJ-R, Deanna’s father Dean thought it was best to toughen up her daughter and hone her skills even further, and engaged in talks to have her train with USJ-R’s sister school, San Sebastian under famed coach Roger Gorayeb as well as Ateneo.

Last summer, Wong got the shot to train for three weeks with both schools and it was a decision that changed the course of her career.

But it wasn’t until in March of this year that Wong took things up another notch and tried out for the Lady Eagles. Ranged against 30 young ladies, all wanting a spot on the prestigious team, Wong stood out and paved the way for her entry into the Eagles’ nest.

“I was challenged because there were a lot of people. But I just played my game and I feel blessed and thankful to have been given this opportunity. Not everyone is given this chance,” said Wong.

The youngster is set to join Ateneo and the vaunted practices of Thai head coach Anusorn “Tai” Bundit next month.

Wong admitted feeling scared upon hearing of the grueling practice sessions of the champion head coach but nevertheless is hyped to get started on her collegiate career. “I really want this and I’m ready for this responsibility.”