TAKING time off volleyball proved to be a career-altering decision for Jovelyn Gonzaga.
She’s seen and been through it all after years in the sport, but at 33 years old, there comes the realization that she’ll soon be in a fight against Father Time.
It is a fight nobody can win.
Out of all the reasons that led to her Cignal exit and eventual hiatus, one thing stood out and mattered most for the ‘Bionic Ilongga.’
Heart says play, body says pause
Even as she went on to serve the Philippine Army during her break, Gonzaga hit pause on volleyball as she felt how her body was being ‘betrayed’ following multiple ACL injuries and cyclical stints in indoor and beach volleyball.
Her love for the game won’t ever fade but she knows that her body might.
“Lumayo muna ako sa volleyball kasi natutunan ko sa sarili ko nu’ng na-injury na ako before na masyado ko nang inaabuso yung katawan ko from beach volleyball to three conferences na sunod-sunod,” Gonzaga said.
“Blessed ako, sobrang blessed ako [to be part of Cignal]. Pero at times, mafe-feel mo na ‘yung pagod mo, bini-betray mo na ‘yung katawan mo.
“Mahal ko ang volleyball pero napapagod na ang katawan ko. Knock on wood na ‘wag naman na sa sobrang pilit ko, may mangyari ulit sa katawan ko.”
Jov's newfound purpose
Gonzaga went to a rebuilding ZUS Coffee side in the hope of discovering a new voice and purpose for herself at this late stage in her career.
More than trying to prove herself on the court, Gonzaga, always a student of the game, is motivated by a desire to expand her horizons and bring her experience to a team that needs it.
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“Happy ako na ZUS ang napuntahan ko na team. Unang-una, mga bata. At the same time, kung may natututunan sila sa akin, ako rin may natutunan,” said Gonzaga.
“’Yun naman din ‘yung isa sa rason bakit nag-iba ako ng team na parang ano naman ba ‘yung purpose, anong bago for me, na gusto kong matutunan.”
Just like how she feared for her body prior to her break, she was once unsure how an old soul like her would mesh into a young squad comprised of a core of collegiate champions.
Not even a season-opening loss could change the fact that ZUS Coffee felt like home right off the bat for Gonzaga.
“‘Yung fear ko noon, baka hindi kami aligned sa line of thinking namin. Baka magkaiba kasi mga bata sila. Pero pagdating ko du’n, kung alam niyo lang, ang sarap nila kasama.
“Madisiplina talaga sila. Mababait na bata. Lagi nilang sinasabi na ‘ate [Jov], ‘yung nandito ka lang, malaking bagay na sa amin’ kaya hindi naging mahirap sa’kin [‘yung transition].
Gonzaga added, “Ang akin na lang is to step up every single game na ginagamit ako ni coach Jerry [Yee] para ma-inspire rin sila sa’kin at mas mapaganda pa lalo mga laro namin. ‘Yun lang talaga ‘yung iniisip ko lagi, every single time.”
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