IN over a decade as one of the sport's brightest names, Aby Maraño has established herself as a bona fide leader on and off the court.
Hence, leadership roles were second nature for the 31-year-old hotshot from her days as a De La Salle Lady Spiker, as a pioneer of the now-defunct F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, and as the Philippine national team's voice in her eight-year international career.
But as she jumped ship for the first time in eight years with a leader-laden club like the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Maraño still found herself entrusted with the captaincy for the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
And the way she and the club handled these leadership changes was nothing short of classy and professional.
READ: Like Ara Galang, Aby Maraño also crosses over to Chery Tiggo
Although Maraño did admit to contemplating whether such roles were still meant for her at this point in her career, it was the natural and longstanding belief in herself that ultimately saw her embrace the captaincy and the beholden duties imbued with it.
"Dalawang reaction — una, parang sabi ko, ‘Ito ba talaga ang calling ko sa life, ‘yung maging leader ako ng isang koponan?’ Second, parang nag-buntong-hininga ako kasi alam ko kung gaano kabigat ‘yung responsibility."
Maraño added: "But then at times, na-rerealize ko before pa siya in-announce ng coaching staff na siguro, they see that leadership in me na very natural na hindi ko nakikita sa sarili ko. Kasi ako, kumikilos ako as kung sino ako — very vocal, very organized. Nandu’n talaga ‘yung mahilig akong mag-sita ng kung ano ‘yung dapat itama, mga ganyan."
A key attribute, moreover, that stands out in every leader like her which she continues to take pride in is her maturity.
"Siguro ‘yun ‘yung mga nakikita ng coaches sa’kin and the maturity level because I’m one of the veteran players in the industry so tinanggap ko rin siya," Maraño said.
"Sabi ko rin talaga na kung ito ‘yung calling ko, kailangan ko siyang gampanan nang mabuti at naaayon dahil hindi naman lahat ng players ay nabibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon at ng ganitong klase ng responsibility," she added.
No bad blood in the Sisterhood
In Chery Tiggo's Final Four-bound campaign in last year's season-ending All-Filipino Conference, it was former University of Sto. Tomas skipper and club mainstay EJ Laure who led the charge.
Having to pass on the captain's armband to their newest teammate in Maraño, however, didn't create negative vibes for Laure and the rest of the Crossovers.
"Wala namang (sama ng loob) kasi si EJ [Laure] is very (much like a) sister to me, nakababatang kapatid. Ang relationship namin ni EJ, even in the past, ‘yung respect niya sa’kin as ate, mataas talaga. The moment na in-announce ‘yun sa team, wala akong nakitang expressions or emotions na parang offending for them or parang mamatahan ka na, ‘Bakit ikaw,'" Maraño shared.
May it be Laure, Maraño, or any other Crossover for that matter, there are quite some strong characters and personalities embedded in the champion club.
But in the words of their incoming captain, the best leaders are also great followers.
"Very welcoming talaga lahat. The moment na nagbigay ako ng tasks sa kanila, ‘yung mga simple tasks sa team, ang bilis ng reaction, ang bilis sumunod.
"The team is composed of leaders also. Siyempre naging captains din sila from their collegiate teams, and ang best leader talaga is a good follower. Kaya even though ako ‘yung pinaka-team captain nila, once na nagbigay ako ng task or ng instruction or anything para ma-lead sila, sumusunod lahat," said Maraño.
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