ERIN Pangilinan spent the last 11 years of her life at National University before turning pro with Cignal in the PVL.
Such a move entails plenty of changes not only in Pangilinan’s playing career but also in her personal life altogether.
The former Lady Bulldogs captain shared a rather understated change in her career that has so far been the toughest for her to deal with: living alone.
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“‘Yung pinakamahirap na challenge sa akin, ‘yung titira ako mag-isa,” Pangilinan shared with SPIN.ph.
“Nasanay ako na kasama ko yung mga teammates ko na kapag uuwi ako galing training, may nakikita akong kasama ko, sasalubong sa akin, may magtatanong sa akin, ‘kumain ka na ba?’”
For years, Pangilinan was with her fellow ex-Lady Bullpups and Lady Bulldogs in the National U dormitory.
This time, staying in a condominium unit alone gives her the space to process her life’s biggest changes by herself.
But through it all, it’s about fighting through the solitude as she navigates a career pivot of such immense magnitude.
“Hindi ako pwedeng kainin ng lungkot. Hindi ko pwedeng hanapin na may nag-iinvite sa akin, na araw-araw nandu’n sila,” the 5-foot-7 Cignal blocker-turned-winger said.
“Kailangan talagang maging independent ako. Marami pa akong haharapin [na sitwasyon] na iiyak ako, ganu’n. Darating ulit ako sa point na parang down na down ako.
“’Yung mga ganung bagay, kailangan ready ako na harapin siya na wala na yung teammates ko, walang mag-gguide sa’kin na ‘Te, okay ka lang?’ kaya kailangan talagang maging open ako at prepared sa mga future pa na kung anumang mangyayari.”
Close family ties
Somewhere along her early road to independence, Pangilinan finds comfort and solace with a new family right behind her — a red-and-black one rather than the blue-and-gold.
In fact, her fellow HD Spikers aren’t just ‘ates’ to her. It has since felt like a whole new family altogether.
“Hindi na nga ate, parang parents ko na sila dito. ‘Pag ‘di ba galing ka sa college, ate-ate pa ‘yun sa'yo? Dito, parang parent na sila eh, parang mga papsie mo.
“Si ate [Gyzelle Sy], tawag ko Popsie, si ate Judith [Abil], tawag ko, mom, kaya very caring talaga. Halimbawa sa training, nag-eerror kami, bad training, lagi silang kusang lalapit. Talagang alam mo yung sanay na sila sa mga ganung bagay.”
Three games into life as a pro, Pangilinan, 23, has found her new home away from home.
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