MARS Alba had no plans of holding back her emotions after delivering the biggest play of the night against her former team.
The Akari setter came up with a game-sealing solo block on Sisi Rondina-Rosales in an extended fifth set battle, putting the finishing touches on the Chargers’ hard-fought victory over Choco Mucho on Saturday.
With the match hanging in the balance, Alba rose to the occasion and turned away Rondina-Rosales’ attack to seal another five-set thriller for Akari.
READ: Akari takes out Choco Mucho in yet another five-setter
And when the final point came, the emotions followed.
For Alba, it was a moment worth celebrating, especially after going up against the team she once called home.
But the celebration was never about sending a message to anyone across the net.
“Wala namang anything. Kasi ako nagpo-focus lang ako sa game gawa ng masama rin yung pakiramdam ko. So, nilaban ko lang talaga yung game ngayon,” Alba admitted to Spin.ph.
When asked if the celebration was simply an expression of everything she felt in that moment, the setter answered with a straightforward “Yes.”
Despite being on the opposite side of the court from her former teammates, the playmaker said the crowd’s support for Choco Mucho did not add any pressure to her game.
“For me, wala naman kasi ako may tao, may fans or wala. Hindi naman siya importante sa akin kasi ang goal ko naman is maglaro,” she said.
“Bonus na yung maraming sumisigaw. And for me, knowing Choco, very supportive talaga sila. And good for them na dagdag boost kasi yun sa team.”
Alba instead kept her attention on finishing the match, knowing that the Flying Titans had enough experience to make things difficult for the Chargers.
“Siguro for me, mindset ko lang noon tapusin. And maging matapang sa loob ng court kasi yun nga, dikdikan, crucial moments,” she said.
“Kasi yung kabila, mga veterans din. So, kailangan namin sumabay and mas gustuhin pa namin yung laro.”
The experience of playing extended matches could also prepare Akari for the tougher games ahead, but Alba does not want the team to get too comfortable with always needing a deciding set to get the job done.
“Maganda experience to and yun nga sana hindi lang din siya maging habit or makasanayan na laging mag-fifth set kasi medyo nakakapagod din,” she said.
Still, the setter believes these battles are helping build something within the team, particularly its ability to stay composed and fight through difficult moments.
“Good practice for the team kasi mas lalong naaayos yung character sa loob,” Alba added.
And with Akari looking to make the most out of its remaining games, Alba knows that the Chargers cannot afford to let up.
After all, as her game-sealing block against her former team showed, sometimes it takes one big play and the courage to deliver it when everything is on the line.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
