FROM F2 Logistics’ shock disbandment to reaching the semis in her debut conference, the last four months have been a whirlwind for Chery Tiggo captain Aby Maraño in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
Challenges were aplenty throughout Maraño’s eight-year career with the Cargo Movers, from switching on-court positions to the team’s sharp decline in form ahead of their abrupt exit. And in just her third month as a newcomer for the Crossovers, the veteran skipper took pride in the fact that she’s one to have withstood the test of time.
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“Pinagtibay na tayo ng panahon. Nakilala na tayo na ito ‘yung kaya nating gawin. Tine-take ko na lang na motivation every single day ‘yung tiwala na binibigay sa akin ng team, especially ng Chery Tiggo, ng coaching staff, ng mga teammates ko and yung love that I get from them kahit na galing ako sa ibang team for the longest time,” said Maraño.
What has propelled Maraño forward in her sudden change of environment is the determination to reciprocate the team's risk and confidence, not only by signing her but also entrusting her with a significant leadership role for the Crossovers both on and off the court.
“Isa sa mga nagiging fire ko is gusto kong ibalik sa kanila ‘yung respeto at pagmamahal na nararamdaman ko para tulungan sila sa lahat ng klase ng bagay at sangay para makuha ‘yung ultimate goal ng team na ‘to,” said Maraño.
And for the longtime skipper both for club and country, there was no other place she’d be proud to call a new home than Chery Tiggo.
“Before pa nagkaroon ng announcement na mawawala na ‘yung team ko before, wala akong ibang team na tinitignan kundi yung Chery (Tiggo) lang. Nandito na ko at wala na ring rason pa para sa’kin na hindi ko i-all out.”
Taking the driver’s seat, on and off the court
In terms of her leadership philosophy, as much as Maraño aims to build an instinctive on-court connection with her new teammates, forging stronger ties away from the volleyball taraflex is also of utmost importance for her as a leader and player.
And the way Maraño opts to do it with Chery Tiggo away from games — regular team bondings.
“As a team captain, I’m always a believer na ‘yung team connection doesn’t end inside the volleyball court or the training ground. Kailangan ‘yung connection, nagco-continue siya even outside the volleyball court,” said Maraño.
“So ginagawa ko, nag-oorganize lang ako ng team bonding. We made it a ritual sa team para we can get to really know each other deeply, ‘yung in depth understanding sa bawat isa na umabot kami sa puntong magkaka-tinginan lang kami, dapat alam na namin ‘yung sinasabi ng mga kakampi namin.
“‘Yun ‘yung tinatry namin i-workout and it’s very, very effective and nakikita naman. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung ganong klase ng bonding para mas maging solid ‘yung team namin,” she added.
Ahead of her semis debut with Chery Tiggo, Maraño has no worries about what her new team is capable of pulling off — more so with the abundance of talent and burning passion within the squad.
“Hindi na rin naman bago sa’kin ‘yung feeling na umaabot sa semis. But this time, grateful ako kasi ‘yung mga kasama ko naman din going into the semis ay mahuhusay, very talented, very committed and passionate sa volleyball. So, I don’t see anything na mag-hihinder sa’min going through the semifinals until we get to the ultimate goal namin.
“Every single day, nakikita ko ‘yung fire sa mga teammates ko down to the coaches, down to the management ng Chery Tiggo. Sobra akong excited na may makuha kami this conference,” Maraño said.
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