BELLA Belen was left to reflect on what could have been for Alas Pilipinas Women after a medal-less campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
After sweeping Indonesia in all three of their previous regional meetings this year, the Philippines faltered at the most inopportune moment, losing a tightly-contested bronze medal match, 26–28, 25–13, 28–30, 24–26, on Monday.
READ: De Brito dismisses criticism online as Alas Women miss SEAG medal
Instead of returning to the podium, the Nationals once again found themselves settling for fourth place, forced to take solace in their effort amid circumstances that were less than ideal and, in Belen’s view, avoidable.
“I believe na kaya nangyari ito kasi meron dapat tayong ginawa before pa lang,” Belen said.
The sting of the loss lingered, especially with how close the team came to ending a two-decade medal drought.
“Masakit talaga eh, kasi kaya talaga sana. Nakita ko na kaya ng team mag-podium ulit, pero hindi pa para sa atin,” she added.
Belen also emphasized the weight of national duty, noting how the team played with pride and heart despite the setback.
Still, Belen remains optimistic about the program’s trajectory granted that their pursuit of long-term growth won't be rushed like their preparation time for this SEA Games.
“Hindi porket natalo, ibig sabihin pangit na 'yung program,” she said. “Before, hindi naman tayo nakakadikit sa Indonesia. Ngayon natatalo na natin sila.”
“Hindi agad-agad umaangat ang volleyball. Thailand, Japan, ilang taon din silang naghirap bago nila narating kung nasaan sila ngayon.”
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