KASSY Doering isn’t necessarily the first one-and-done foreign student-athlete to deliver instant impact for the University of the Philippines.
For the State U faithful, the name Quentin Millora-Brown must ring a bell.
The 6-foot-10 big played, well, a big role in bringing the Fighting Maroons back to the promised land by reclaiming the UAAP crown in the Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the expense of La Salle.
Months later, six-foot middle blocker Doering entered the fray for the UP women’s volleyball team and then one of her best outings yet against a familiar green-and-white foe.
READ: Monares, Doering come through in UP's must-win game vs La Salle
Taft-slayers, one-and-done players, America-based towers, and soon-to-be UAAP winners?
At least for now, Doering carries the hope of mimicking even just part of the success QMB brought to Diliman.
“I didn't know too much about him other than the fact that we both shared the experience of one-and-done and he did amazingly for his team,” Doering answered to SPIN.ph after being asked about her fellow first-and-only-year contributor.
“I've seen him around in passing, but actual conversations, no. They were champions and (we) were hoping to kind of bring that same energy with this team myself.”
While her norms of 5.67 points per game aren't as staggering as those QMB put up, Doering remains hell-bent on fueling the young Fighting Maroons to produce winning performances rather than merely making a name for herself.
“It's just doing my job and remaining disciplined in what I do. With volleyball, it's truly a team sport. One player cannot win or lose a game and so as long as I can do at least my part on my end of the rope and everyone else can do theirs, we'll succeed,” said Doering.
Kassy can
The maroon-and-green's hat-trick of upset wins over National U, Far Eastern University, and La Salle didn’t surprise Doering one bit.
From the moment she decided to take her talents toUP, she knew straight away that she’d be part of a special program capable of claiming huge scalps in its ongoing rebuild.
“I’ll be honest, ever since I first stepped foot here with UP a year and a half ago, I always knew they had it in them,” Doering said.
“It just took the right people and right coaches to bring the puzzles together. I knew they always had it in them and I'm grateful to finally see that happen.”
Once her one-and-done stint comes to an end, Doering pointed out three key attributes to keep the Fighting Maroons' long-term championship project afloat.
“Discipline, fight, and grit. Those are truly the biggest things,” said Doering.
“Those are the three key words that I always just remind myself and try to tell myself and always try to emulate within myself and within my teammates as well.”
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