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[av_heading heading=’Aduke emerges from the shadows | Ilongga spiker Ogunsanya is La Salle’s unlikely hero’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay
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Thursday, March 23, 2017
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A steely Aduke Ogunsanya (13) of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers goes up to defend against the Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament. ABS-CBN
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THE 20-year-old Fil-Nigerian Aduke Ogunsanya goes by the endearing nickname “Shadowki”.
Though relegated to the B Team for the better part of the previous UAAP seasons, with the graduation of former La Salle stars Ara Galang and Mika Reyes and the conquest for a back-to-back crown in peril, the Ilongga is stepping out of the shadows, finally getting her well-deserved time in the spotlight for the DLSU Lady Spikers.
A graduate of Sapao Elementary School and Dumangas National High School, Aduke admits it took her some time to adjust to her new life in Manila.
“I was culture shocked at first when I entered DLSU campus. A lot of adjustments were made. I am just blessed to have coach Ramil (de Jesus) and supportive teammates who made me feel at home here in Taft,” relates Aduke.
The bubbly Ilongga, the only daughter among six siblings, easily won over the hearts of her teammates. Her fun demeanor is in full display in the #ShadowkiTV videos her friend and squad-mate Kim Kianna Dy shares on Instagram. Aduke even admits that she also has a passion for singing.
“Before volleyball, I was focused on my singing career,” shares Aduke with a giggle. “I competed for my school when I was in elementary, but I stopped when i was in my second year in high school to focus on volleyball career.”
The 5-foot-9 middle blocker may be all jokes and laughs off the court, but when her team needs her most she’s a stone cold spiker – as evidenced by her rousing performance in DLSU’s 29-27, 25-16, 25-21 taming of the National University Lady Bulldogs. Aduke stood up against the likes of Jorelle Singh and the towering Jaja Santiago to score 11 markers and 5 block kills.
The Dumangas-native also keyed in La Salle’s dominant victories against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws and University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, in the past few weeks.
The emerging volleyball star’s secret? Knowing how to sincerely listen.
“First is to listen, you can’t improve as an athlete and as a person if you don’t know how to listen to other people,” imparts Aduke. “Always learn from your mistakes, perseverance and patience (are always needed).”
It seems like athleticism is imbedded in her blood, as even two of her brothers are developing cagers in the local arena. Her 17-year-old younger sibling is a 6-foot-4 center in the St. Robert’s International Academy varsity team.
After losing quite a few of its core members, La Salle is in dire need of new talent to save their hopes for a consecutive UAAP championship – and Aduke is poised to be the Lady Spikers’ unexpected heroine.
“We never stop till we reach the top,” beams the rising collegiate big league with pride, and with still three playing years left with DLSU, Aduke can do just that.
“Sa tanan nga mga Ilonggos dira sa Iloilo, madamo gid nga salamat sa pag supporta sa team sang De La Salle. Akon himion ang tanan para itindog and bandera sang mga Ilonggo,” concludes the proud Ilongga./PN
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