A new era has dawned upon Alas Pilipinas as it named its newest team captain in multi-awarded Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
Cignal’s floor general will take on the captaincy in Jia de Guzman’s temporary absence, as the latter fulfills her club duties with Denso Airybees in the newly-unified Japan SV.League.
Macandili-Catindig will have big shoes to fill ahead of Alas’ back-to-back friendly matches with nine-time Japanese champions Saga Hisamitsu Springs and through the remainder of de Guzman’s overseas sojourn.
Just like de Guzman, the veteran libero has one wish she hopes will come true for the nationals at least for the next year: continuity.
“Wish ko talaga is to continue playing together and to keep that bond. Mabilis lang ang one year. Hindi pwedeng magkikita-kita na lang ulit kami next year. Kailangang mag-tuloy-tuloy talaga,” said Macandili-Catindig.
READ: Kapitana Jia pleads for long-term, big picture thinking for Alas
“Ang laking factor kasi when you get closer to your teammates outside the court. Nagiging iba talaga ‘yung bond pagdating sa loob ng court. Malaking factor din ‘yun na nagko-contribute sa chemistry inside the court.”
Familiarity breeds success
Indeed, the new skipper echoed the previous one's call to keep a tight-knit player core the rest of the way.
And the newly-minted captain has full faith that with a well-established system topped by the professionalism shown by nationals old and new, continuous success at the international level will be within reach in the months and years to come.
“Malaking responsibility siya kasi ang hirap din na wala si Jia dahil I have to work extra hard to guide the team,” said Macandili-Cantindig.
“Hindi naman alagain ‘yung mga teammates ko. Very professional naman silang lahat so it’s kind of easy. Pero if we’re going towards that goal (of longevity and success), we have to maintain the system and continue the system."
Good news then that though she ceded leadership duties as of the moment, de Guzman remains in contact with Alas.
“Si Jia naman, lagi niya 'kong kinakamusta on how’s the team. Very updated naman siya with what’s going on. Wala naman siyang specific advice, pero we’re just working together kung paano matutuloy ‘yung sistema sa team," said Macandili-Catindig.
Following a triple-haul of bronze medals in the AVC Challenge Cup and SEA V.League in the last three months, Macandili-Catindig is banking on Alas’ grit and desire to uphold the foundations of what has been a historic start for the national team’s new era.
“Ang biggest lesson ko (with Alas) is ‘yung responsibility to keep it going. We achieved something very historic and something that we have been working hard for," she said.
“It takes a lot of grit to keep that passion and to keep that going until maging silver na siya and maging gold eventually.”
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