ARA Galang stood on the podium looking every inch a winner on Saturday night after winning the Philippine Super Liga MVP award for delivering the Invitational championship to F2 Logistics.
That's quite a turnaround for someone who almost gave up the sport.
The former La Salle star bared she almost let go of the sport she loves after struggling through multiple injuries on her left knee in her post-UAAP career.
“Siguro kasi noong time na 'yun, hindi naman siya giving up. Parang nile-let go ko na 'yung volleyball. Mentally and physically drained na ako. Ubos na ako noong time na 'yun,” admitted Galang, whose injury woes go back to UAAP Season 77.
“Parang tinry ko rin sabihin kila na magki-quit na nga ako, mag-stop na ko mag-volleyball.”
But the Angeles City native found strength to go on from Ramil De Jesus, her coach at La Salle and also at F2 Logistics.
“Si coach Ramil talaga ever since college hanggang ngayon, father figure siya sa amin,” she said. “Sa totoo lang, siya rin lang naman 'yung nakapagpabalik sa akin. Noong nag-usap kami, bumalik na agad 'yung puso ko sa volleyball. Sa simpleng heart-to-heart talk namin, nabuhay 'yung passion. Nangibabaw 'yun.”
De Jesus, who won his third championship with F2 Logistics in the PSL, said he never gave up on Galang.
“Last time, 'yung bata na 'yan gusto na mag-quit din. Siguro nga, kakaiba 'yung injury na nakuha niya noong Season 77,” said De Jesus, looking back at Galang' torn ACL and MCL as well as bone bruise suffered at La Salle.
That's the reason the 11-time UAAP champion coach is very proud to see Galang reclaim her stature as one of the best spikers in the country.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, mag-tiyaga lang siya. After lahat ng pinagdaanan niya, nandito na siya so very proud ako sa kanya. Hindi mo kasi makikita 'yung ganyang klase ng talent sa player,” he said.
Galang showed in the Invitational Conference that she still has what it takes to lead a team.
Galang capped her renaissance with 15 points built on 11 spikes, three blocks and an ace including 17 receptions in the title-clinching 25-18, 23-25, 25-23, 25-18 Game 2 victory over Petron Blaze Spikers on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
“Di ko rin ma-explain. Sobrang sarap lang sa feeling. Hindi ko iniisip 'yung MVP, championship kasi talaga gusto ko. Kung nabigay sa akin 'yung MVP, extra lang talaga,” she said.
Galang insisted she only did her part.
“Ang mentality ko kasi, ibibigay ko 'yung best ko. Lahat ng alam ko, lahat ng kaya ko. Akin kasi, importante na nai-improve ko 'yung sarili ko para maka-contribute sa team."
Now that her confidence is back, Galang hopes she has put the demons behind her.
“Once ma-injure ka, ang unang kailangan mo ma-overcome is 'yung fear na ma-injure ka uli,” she said. “Kasi once na matakot ka nang kaunti, doon ka alanganin. Kapag na-attract mo 'yung fear na 'yun, hindi ka makakagalaw. Kailangan talaga maalis mo na 'yun.”
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