IMUS, Cavite — Always up for the challenge, national team skipper Aby Maraño did not disappoint when her team needed her the most.
The F2 Logsitics middle blocker had to play opposite spiker as only eight players suited up for the national team against Cignal, and did well to lift the squad to a straight-sets win at Imus Sports Complex.
Maraño finished with 17 points from 13 attacks, two blocks and two service aces and six excellent receptions.
“Ay bongga naka-17 points ako!” exclaimed Maraño when she saw the stats sheet. “At meron din akong block, hala may serve din ako. Nakaktuwa naman.”
“Sobrang happy ko na ganito ang naging resulta despite na challenge ako sa bagong position,” she said.
It was the first time in a competitive match Marano played the position but La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus, who left the national team last month, had earlier talked to her about being versatile.
“Sinabi ko kahapon na kung wala talaga coach, go ako sa opposite. Oo first time ko lang mag-opposite,” she said.
“Actually recently pinractice ako ni coach Ramil (de Jesus), ang sabi niya na dapat madami kang alam, madami kang matutunan.”
“Eh ako, game naman ako, kasi ayaw kong tumanda na ito lang ang kaya kong gawin, na itong comfort zone ko lang, gusto ko may iba rin akong kayang gawin at saka gusto kong mag-grow as an athlete,” she added.
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