Two games into its home campaign in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women, Alas Pilipinas has delivered a range of emotions to Filipino volleyball fans: joy in unity, pride in victory, and hints of nostalgia.
READ: Alas Pilipinas makes it two wins in a row after brave comeback vs India
The Philippines’ eclectic 14-woman core features a combination ofPremier Volleyball League (PVL) stalwarts and UAAP hotshots—some of whom were either former or current teammates or represented the same school but in different eras.
‘Para sa USTe’
Standing out among the familiar partnerships is the red-hot, España-bred duo of Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure.
From the highs of steering the University of Sto. Tomas to a runner-up finish in UAAP Season 81, a PVL reunion wasn’t to be for the former Tigresses captains as Rondina and Laure joined perennial title contenders Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo, respectively.
Being called up to Alas Pilipinas on short notice, shortly after the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, marked the UST pair’s first team-up since 2019. The 'UST feels' couldn't be more euphoric for the multi-awarded spikers.
“Sobrang UST feels. Nakakamiss. Masaya ako na dito kami nag-reunite sa national team. Sobrang proud ako sa growth niya sa mundo ng volleyball talaga,” said Rondina said of Laure.
The feeling was mutual.
“Malaking tulong si ate Sisi (Rondina) sa akin kasi ‘yung talagang tiwala and confidence ko sa paglalaro, lalong-lalo na sa open (hitter position), may natututunan ako sa kanya habang naglalaro,” Laure shared.
“Salamat din kay ate Sisi sa laging pag-gabay sa akin since UST at hanggang sa tumapak kami ng national team, nandiyan siya.”
Animo spirit lives on
Over on the opposite side of Manila, Taft’s quintet of champion aces from past and present De La Salle Lady Spikers teams joined forces for flag and country for the very first time.
Three-time UAAP champion Dawn Macandili-Catindig turned back the hands of time as she renewed her Lasallian ties with a new generation of Lady Spikers that includes former rookie-MVP Angel Canino, three-time best middle blocker Thea Gagate, and the title-winning pair of Fifi Sharma and Julia Coronel.
La Salle’s ‘Taft Towers’ Gagate and Sharma shared the overwhelming feelings of rekindling the spirit of the Lady Spikers’ sisterhood, a bond that has been passed on through the years and seasons.
“Nandu’n na ‘yung (La Salle) sisterhood even though ‘di kami nagkasabay ni ate Dawn (Macandili-Catindig) before. But then, before din kasi, nag-ttraining din kami with F2 (Logistics) so nandu’n na ‘yung communication and ‘yung relationship namin inside the court,” said Gagate on teaming up with her Lady Spikers ‘ate’ Macandili-Catindig.
Sharma added: “I’m very happy because I've worked with them before so it kind of like alleviates a little bit of the responsibility we have to (have in the) jelling process. It becomes easier because even the other players, they've worked with each other before, so maybe that's why this whole process has been kind of light din for us to adjust.”
“This is like a reunion for us. I’ve been away from them for about a year and seeing them here in the highest level of playing here in the country is like a different feeling, parang ‘wow, friendship goals!’
Back for one big fight
In Katipunan, a convergence of past and present unfolds as Jia de Guzman, a former team captain and renowned setter who clinched two groundbreaking UAAP titles with Ateneo, transitions to a new chapter wearing a different shade of blue alongside former Blue Eagles-turned-PVL stars Vanie Gandler of Cignal and Faith Nisperos of Akari.
Drawing from the invaluable experiences of her glory days at Ateneo, de Guzman illuminates how her leadership as captain today is deeply rooted in the principles cultivated during her tenure with the Lady Eagles, alongside another Ateneo luminary, Alyssa Valdez. It's a leadership philosophy anchored in leading by example, a relentless commitment to nurturing the potential of emerging talents.
“Ever since naman magkasama kami ni ate Ly (Valdez) in Ateneo, the first year together, it’s always the same every year. Just do your best, enjoy the game and allow others to shine as well in your presence kasi what better way to inspire the next generation than to be in the best condition to play yourself,” de Guzman said.
“It took a while for me to process that na kami na ‘yung seniors ng team, but at the same time, we were raised very well by the seniors in the past when we were the young ones. We’re just doing what they did for us so it’s not that hard to lead this team,” she added.
For Nisperos, although she's yet to hit the court with Alas, every opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with her Ateneo sisters holds profound significance, especially in the rare privilege of representing both flag and country.
“As we said nga: ‘Uy, parang dati lang nasa Ateneo tayo, we’re fighting for our school, our school pride. Now, we’re actually bringing the flag naman,’” said Nisperos. “It’s a great privilege and I’m happy to be back with her (Vanie Gandler) kasi madali nga ‘yung chemistry since I’ve been with her na,” said Nisperos
“We have ate Jia (de Guzman), ate Dawn (Macandili-Catindig) and the other ates. It’s very easy to be with them even na bata kami. We didn’t feel na bata (kami since) everyone is on the same level: walang ates, walang mga bata.”
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