Strong Group Athletics (SGA) made what can be said as an uneventful PVL debut after the team absorbed a crushing 25-12, 25-20, 25-12 opening loss to Petro Gazz.
But there's nothing shameful about the straight sets loss. The team fought hard but it can only do so much against a team that's aiming to win the championship.
And now, think about this: SGA only had five full days of training, and the team was, well, composed of pickups and semi-retired players seeking a new lease on their volleyball life.
The team and its players are probably looking not at the immediate present, but the future. Time, it can said, is on their side.
Team captain Dolly Versoza is currently the face of the PVL's newest team. She played in the NCAA volleyball tournament with Jose Rizal University.
For Verzosa, playing in the PVL was like a dream. She did not expect it, but when the opportunity came, she grabbed it like a young girl given a new toy.
READ: Petro Gazz gives Strong Group a rude reception in PVL debut
"Door-opening po kasi talaga ‘yung ginawa ng SGA. Kahit ako sa sarili ko, sobrang thankful ako kasi from NCAA, bigla din akong nag-stop eh. Sobrang laking tulong talaga sa mga players na hindi nabibigyan ng chance to play in the PVL," said Versoza.
"Most of us, galing MPVA, and ‘yung iba rin galing work na gusto lang din maglaro, talaga so thankful kami na binigyan kami ng chance makapaglaro," said Verzosa.
She said that for many volleyball players looking to play after college, getting into the PVL was a challenge, citing what she described as PVL's exclusive recruiting culture.
"Kasi sa mga gustong makalaro, parang hindi sila makapasok kasi ‘yun nga, mostly naman talaga sa PVL, connections and kakilala. So thankful kami sa ginawa ng SGA na makapasok kami dito," she added.
More than one could ask for
SGA's opening game debut was not a total disaster though in the eyes of team coach Onyok Getigan. He assessed that despite their lack of practice, the players went toe-to-toe with a powerful team like Petro Gazz.
"Actually, masaya na ko kasi sumobra pa [sa expectations ko] eh. Kasi ine-expect ko talaga, hindi gagalaw [nang ganun kaayos 'yung team] kasi nga limang araw pa lang [kami nag-ttrain] eh," Getigan bared.
"Ang ginawa ko nung limang araw na ‘yun nag tuneup, tuneup kami. Sabi ko nga, ituloy lang natin ‘yung program na ginagawa natin para siguro mga ilang game pa, makukuha din natin [‘yung momentum]," he added.
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