COMING off the bench with the game on the line is not a role everyone welcomes. But for Lovely Lopez, it is a responsibility she has learned to embrace.
Time and time again, the 5-foot-7 Lopez has been the sparkplug for the FEU Lady Tamaraws in crunch time. Such was the case once more against Ateneo.
With the Blue Eagles looking to extend the game into a fourth set, Lopez stepped up once more by scoring five of FEU’s last nine points that helped seal the victory.
READ: Lady Tams halt Blue Eagles' late push for second straight win
For Lopez, it's all about repaying the trust of her coach Tina Salak.
“For me, sobrang thankful ako kay Coach T. Kapag difficult na yung situation at lamang yung kalaban, andoon yung trust niya sa akin,” Lopez told the SPIN.ph.
“Yung tiwala na kaya kong mag-contribute sa team lalo na sa mga ganong sitwasyon,” she added.
Even as a sophomore, the Zambales native has already been given the responsibility of stepping in when the team needs a late-game boost.
Yet, the coaching staff never explicitly tells her she is the designated closer. Instead, she simply stays ready.
“Hindi ko alam yung mga plano ng coaches. Tinatawag lang nila ako kapag kailangan ng kapalit ng outside hitter,” she explained.
Born Ready
Preparation for Lopez is about constant observation from the sidelines. While waiting for her number to be called, she studies both teammates and opponents closely.
“For me, ina-analyze ko lang kung anong mga galaw nung papalitan ko or nung mga players sa court. Tapos kung tatawagin man ako, always ready lang ako,” she said.
Beyond the timely hits and defensive plays, the outside hitter also brings something less tangible but equally important: energy.
Her now-viral “kaldag” celebration has become part of her identity on the court. What started as a spontaneous burst of emotion has now turned into a confidence booster not just for herself, but for the entire team.
“Hindi ko din in-expect na ganon yung magiging celebration ko. Siguro nadala lang ng emotion kasi big win yun,” Lopez admitted.
Now, the celebration has taken on a deeper purpose.
“To boost my confidence lang,” she said.
More importantly, it helps lift the spirits of a team that can sometimes become too tense during tight moments.
“Nakikita mo na silang down, masyado nang seryoso. Kung yun yung ikakal-ight ng mood nila, okay ako doon. Happy rin ako na nakakatulong ako sa mga ganong maliliit na bagay,” Lopez added.
Whether it’s a clutch point, a timely substitution, or simply injecting energy into the lineup, Lopez has embraced her role as Morayta’s closer - proving that sometimes the biggest impact comes from those who are ready when the moment calls.
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