IT may have been more than four decades since she made history as part of the team that put Philippine volleyball on the global map, but Thelma Barina’s fiery love for the sport hasn’t faded.
At 63 years old, the Cebuana legend who helped the Philippines win gold at the 1981 Southeast Asian Games is still channeling her passion for the game through coaching.
She is a four-time gold medalist and was once named SEA Games MVP and Best Open Spiker during her prime.
WATCH:
And it’s not just wisdom she’s sharing—she's actively on the court, demonstrating drills and leading sessions.
Barina recently co-founded Simple Volleyball with her friend Jojie Maranga, 67.
Through Simple Volleyball, they conduct grassroots clinics for kids, visiting various provinces and communities around the country.
In one of her most recent public appearances, Barina took part in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
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