It has been just over two months since the abrupt disbandment of the once-mighty F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. However, for two of its pioneer stars, volleyball life did not end in a similarly sudden fashion.
Ara Galang and longtime captain Aby Maraño, are back where they belong: on the hardcourt, competing in the same high-level league, with a new team that welcomed them like long-lost sisters.
And to illustrate that their presence was not mere decoration to a team having title aspirations, the power duo quickly helped Chery Tiggo Crossovers win their opening Premier Volleyball League (PVL) game against Capital1.
Give credit to the nice reception they received from their new team for how they played confidently like they never left the league. It was like home, they said, comparing their former team which ruled the PVL for eight years.
READ: Ara Galang stands out in Chery Tiggo's opening romp over Capital1
"Masaya and magaan sa pakiramdam kasi madali silang pakisamahan and hindi ako nahirapan," said Galang. "Excited ako every day, every training, every game dahil sila ‘yung makakasama ko. Puro excitement din tsaka ‘yung parang ginaganahan, nakaka-gana maglaro kasama ang lahat."
To show she really can help the team, Galang, topscored in her PVL debut for Chery Tiggo against Capital1 with 12 points.
"Actually, bago ako pumasok sa dugout, meron slight thought na pumasok sa isip ko. Sabi ko, 'First time na naka-red akong papasok dito.' Pero 'yung feeling na kasama mo 'yung Chery Tiggo, at home na at home kami kasi never kami nagkaroon ever ng feeling na awkward o na iba kami sa kanila," Maraño said.
New team, same old roles
Perhaps being stars at F2 Logistics helped Maraño and Galang take the same roles at Chery. Their reputation had preceded them and the Crossovers gave them room to shine.
Both sides apparently were not disappointed with the initial outcome.
"Madaming beses na akong nag-team captain, pati sa national team na iba-iba kasi talaga 'yung mga personality ng mga players and characters nila. Sa ngayon, sa edad ko na 'to, 'di na ko nahihirapan pagdating sa ganyan. Mais-mais nalang sa'kin 'yun, mani-mani na lang," said Maraño.
Galang added: "‘Yung mindset ko nung una, nung kinuha ako ng Chery (Tiggo) at nila Coach Kungfu (Reyes), sabi ko kung interesado sila sa’kin, ibig sabihin may nakita silang potential na kaya kong maitulong sa team.
"‘Yun ‘yung pinanghahawakan ko. Nagtiwala ako du’n sa nakita nila so ‘yung gagawin ko na lang is mag-trabaho para mapakita ‘yun at maging maganda ‘yung kalabasan ng pagsama ko sa Chery."
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