Ateneo 'Fab 5' Reunite for ABS-CBN 'Down the Line'

The Ateneo Lady Eagles 'Fab 5' will be guesting the ABS-CBN show 'Down the Line' and I was asked to take photos of their guesting for the show. The interview was held on March 4 at Luna Cafe in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig which is co-owned by Fille Cainglet-Cayetano.

The Ateneo 'Fabulous 5' is consist of Gretchen Ho, Jem Ferrer, Fille Cainglet, Dzi Gervacio and Aillysse Nacachi who unfortunately cannot make it on the show.

Why Fab 5?

The Ateneo Women's Volleyball Team struggled in the UAAP but upon arrival of the five rookies in UAAP Season 71, the team started to became more competitive and for me this the era where the fan base of Ateneo team started to grow.

When the Fab 5 arrived in the team, Ateneo was able to make it for the first time in the Final Four in the tournament. The team finished third in UAAP Season 72 then another Final Four appearance in Season 73 as they were eliminated by powerhouse team DLSU.

UAAP Season 74 and 75

For Season 74, the team was joined by super rookie Alyssa Valdez as they were able to make it on the big stage and reached the finals against DLSU handing La Salle it's first loss of the season in game one. Unfortunately, DLSU is too much for Ateneo to handle as they finished runner-up for this season.

The Fab 5 with Alyssa Valdez returned to the UAAP Finals for another showdown with defending champions DLSU Lady Spikers. Ateneo finished as runner-ups again as for Season 75 which is also the last season for the Fabolous 5.

Though the 'Fab 5' didn't win a championship, Ateneo's performance, popularity and recruitment increased because of them.  I started covering Volleyball games when the Fab 5 started playing in Shakey's V-League before UAAP Season 71 and I think they played a big part which is why Volleyball is now one of the most watched sports in the country today.

Here are some of the snaps that I took during the interview.

Gretchen Ho

Jem Ferrer

Dzi Gervacio

Fille Cainglet-Cayetano

It was nice to see the Fab 5 reunited again as after their UAAP stint, they had pursued different careers like Gretchen Ho who is now doing hosting and reporting work. Jem Ferrer and Fille Cainglet-Cayetano still plays Volleyball in PVL while Dzi Gervacio is into Beach Volleyball. 

I can remember when I am starting with sports photography, I started covering Shakey's V-League games and covered their games.

I also started as a fan of the team and it was nice to become friends with them then after a few years I started working with ABS-CBN as a sports photographer and still nice to see them every once in a while during games.

Photos taken using Nikon D750 for ABS-CBN Sports