RACHEL Austero once felt her fire for the sport dying out after nearly three years of injuries and dropping deep through reserve lists.
At PLDT, she spent more time in street clothes than game jerseys, watching from the sidelines with no guarantees of when - or even if - she'd get a chance to suit up and play again.
Then came a lifeline last June: a spot in an up-and-coming Capital1 side looking for veteran anchors in the middle.
READ: Bella Belen, Capital1 continue ascent with sweep of Choco Mucho
Although leaving the High Speed Hitters wasn’t easy, Austero knew it was a move she had to make if she wanted a new lease on her once-beleaguered pro career.
“It's hard kasi I created a family din and a good relationship with PLDT,” she told SPIN.ph. “It was really hard to let go of them. Until now, siyempre kapag nakikita ko ex-PLDT teammates ko, parang ‘Ate, I miss you,’ ganun.”
“But you know, I still want to play. There's still this fire in me na gusto kong i-show.”
She once helpedChery Tiggo to the 2021 PVL Open Conference title, but the years that followed were slow and quiet, as playing opportunities were scarce.
Now in an import-laced field, the 5-foot-9 middle is the Solar Spikers' top local blocker after five games with 0.35 blocks per set, second overall on the team behind 6-foot-4 Ukrainian import Oleksandra Bytsenko’s 0.47.
“Ang saya lang ngayon na ang free lang sa pakiramdam,” she said after a steady eight-point, six-dig outing in a shock sweep of Choco Mucho.
“With coach Jorge [Souza de Brito] and all the Capital1 coaches — very supportive, grabe ‘yung trust nila sa’kin.”
It's a new day for Rachel
It was a worthwhile wait for Austero whose faith held her through uncertainty and ultimately delivered her long-awaited second chance.
“Sinasabi ko lagi na I’m just so grateful na binigyan ako ng break here,” she said. “May plan talaga si Lord. Kailangan mo lang ng patience at faith sa kanya. Bibigyan ka talaga, at hindi ka niya papabayaan.”
“Ipapakita ko kung ano pa ‘yung kaya kong i-contribute sa team with all my heart. I want to be remembered as a daughter of God — and someone who plays with her heart.”
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.
