However, in the match against the University of Santo Tomas, Mateo was notably absent from the starting lineup. He was eventually brought in as a substitute setter, a strategy that has been in place since the height of the pandemic.
"At the onset of the pandemic, I went to Coach Sammy's (Acaylar, the Altas' head coach) house and stayed there. He took the opportunity to train me as a setter. He recognized my potential to excel in that role, and I readily embraced the challenge," Mateo explained.
The Altas experienced their first defeat against the Golden Spikers, prompting Acaylar to make adjustments to his tactics. Come Sunday's match against the Far Eastern University, Mateo successfully fulfilled both his roles as an opposite hitter and a setter.
Mateo, who previously won the title of Best Opposite Hitter in a preseason university-level tournament, assumed leadership within the NCAA champion team, concluding the game with 13 points and three excellent sets. For him, the driving force behind his performance was the unwavering desire to secure victory.
"I had a strong determination to win this game and make a meaningful contribution to the team. Our performance against UST lacked effort and intensity, falling short of our best," he shared. "Given that our usual go-to player, Louie Ramirez, was absent, it was crucial for us to step up and score."
With their hopes of reaching the semifinals hanging in the balance, the Altas recognized the importance of demonstrating their capabilities on the court once again to increase their chances of triumphing.
"We will undergo rigorous training and, in our upcoming game, give our utmost effort. We are committed to proving our championship spirit and demonstrating our unwavering resilience," Mateo concluded.
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