MONTALBAN — Marlee Smith endured a turbulent PVL debut with Choco Mucho, a stint marked by position switch-ups and limited playing time that curtailed her full potential.
The 26-year-old American opposite hitter ensured she left on a high note, delivering an 18-point performance in Choco Mucho’s conference-ending 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 win over Akari.
Though she only scratched the surface of her right-wing attacking prowess, Smith is already looking forward to a return, no matter where she plays next.
READ: Import rues position switch 'didn't really help' struggling Choco Mucho
“Yes, for sure. You'll definitely see me again, I promise you,” she told SPIN.ph.
Setting aside the challenges of her debut, Smith is determined to settle unfinished business whenever she gets another chance in the Philippines.
“The Philippines will see me again. I feel so welcome, so loved. The atmosphere is unmatched. I've never been anywhere where the fans are like this. I've never been anywhere where the team is so popular, so it still really feels good.
“You feel loved, you feel supported, you feel like you could do anything. You feel unstoppable. I would describe [my time here] in that word, unstoppable.”
In just seven games, Smith still emerged as Choco Mucho’s top scorer this conference with 86 points (12.29 per game).
And even though she fell short of bringing Choco Mucho to the playoffs, the lessons she took from her rocky PVL stint will make her a stronger player and person.
“I discovered that when I fall down, I have to get back up, no matter how many times you fall. If it's nine, you get back up 10,” she said.
“I’ve learned to put my growth above my wants. I need to develop into a player who can set her pride aside and leave things that don’t matter off the court. I feel like I've learned persistency, and I'm going to take that back home because it's a really important step in life.
"To be successful at anything, whether in sports or in a job, you have to be persistent.”
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.
