THE 30th Southeast Asian Games will kick off with a grand opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena with international artist Apl.de.ap performing and Pinay beauty queens Pia Wurtzbach and Megan Young serving as muses.
But for the national men’s volleyball team the grandiose event is more than just spectacle.
As the Pinoy spikers hope to bag a medal in the biennial meet, the opening ceremonies will fuel the fire within the team to bring glory to the country.
“Sobrang excited kasi walang kasing saya na lumakad siguro doon sa harap mismo ng mga Pilipinong ipaglalaban namin dito pa mismo sa Pilipinas,” said team captain Johnvic de Guzman.
“Yung parada sa Sabado sa tingin ko ang mabibigay lalo sa amin ng inspiration para lalo maginit sa laban namin simula sa lunes. Kasi sigurado ako mararamdaman namin yung pride bilang Pinoy, yung suporta mula sa kapwa Pinoy,” he added.
Although it will be their first time to march in the opening parade, De Guzman can already imagine the heartwarming event.
“Habang naglalakad kami doon, habang winawagayway ‘yung bandera ng Pinas, suot ang aming mga barong, sigurado ako magbabalik lahat ng alaala namin sa nagdaang walong buwan,” he said.
De Guzman couldn’t help but be emotional as he looked back on the eight long months of preparation for the SEA Games.
Away from the media, away from the fans, only the players, coaches, and team staff know how they worked so hard for one common goal.
“‘Yung araw-araw na training, ‘yung pagod, ‘yung sakripisyo, ‘yung byahe namin sa ibang bansa, ‘yung bonding namin buong grupo , ‘yung laban namin sa Thailand,” he recalled.
“’Yung mga papuri ng mga tao, ‘yung pagdududa nila kung kaya ba namin talaga o kami ba dapat ang andito o dapat may iba pa, ‘yung pagpuna sa mga mali namin, ‘yung pagtama sa mga kakulangan namin,” he added.
“Sabay-sabay namin panalangin na pagkatapos ng SEA Games sana mapatunayan namin na panahon na rin naman dapat ng men’s volleyball sa mga puso ng Pinoy volleyball fans,” he wished. “Lahat ‘yan halo-halong pakiramdam na bubuo sa experience namin bilang atletang balibolista ngayong SEA Games 2019.”
For Marck Espejo, who was a mere spectator back then, can no longer contain his excitement.
“Sa akin po, siyempre sobrang excited kasi nga noong first SEA Games ko [2015] napanood namin 'yung mga babae kasama sa Singapore nag parade,” he recalled.
“So parang ang saya lalo na maraming tao lalo na sa Philippines 'yung SEA Games and sobrang excited talaga parang gusto ko maglakad sa oval habang napapagiliran ng maraming tao tapos kasama 'yung ibang delegations din,” he added.
If the momentous event is not enough as motivation for the team, head coach Dante Alinsunurin wants his boys to make the most of the rare opportunity of being part of the opening ceremony.
The veteran mentor was a former member of the men’s national volleyball team, marching alongside his fellow athletes was something he could only hope for.
“Ako gusto kong ma-experience kasi noong naglaro ako laging nakahiwalay ang SEA Games [opening ceremony]. Nung sa Vietnam nasa probinsya kami, tapos nitong dito ang SEA Games nasa Bacolod kami,” said Alinsunurin.
“Sabi ko sa mga bata mas magandang ma-experience kasi na-experience ko lang siya sa ASEAN University Games. Iba ‘yung feeling na pumaparada ka, makikita mo ang opening. Parang doon pa lang mararamdaman mo talaga na nasa SEA Games na,” he added.
Alinsunurin was part of the team that finished fifth in the 2005 SEA Games as utility, his assistant coach Dong dela Cruz was the setter then, women’s national team head coach Shaq delos Santos was the quicker, Oliver Balse was the outside spiker, the late Nes Pamilar was the head coach and George Pascua was assistant coach.
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