FOR most of her collegiate career, Arah Panique has been living in the shadows of Alyssa Solomon, who plays her position, and Bella Belen, the shining light for all of National U.
Even in a short stint with Alas Pilipinas, the 6-foot spiker was a much lesser-known name compared to the likes of Angel Canino and Eya Laure.
But in her third season as a Lady Bulldog, the bat signal has finally flashed for her and her alone - and she has gamely responded to the call.
In the earlygoings of a breakout campaign as the two-time defending champions' new starting opposite, Panique delivered her strongest showing yet against hard-charging Far Eastern University last Saturday.
READ: Panique, Alinsug will NU to reverse sweep of FEU
NU actually fell behind 0-2 in sets to the Lady Tamaraws, but Panique just kept coming and ultimately finished with 27 points built on 20 attacks, three blocks, and an ace to fuel her side's reverse sweep.
“Talagang nung first and second set, nahirapan kami, pero kailangan ako ng team, kailangan ko rin mag-step up,” she told SPIN.ph.
“Na-inspire ako sa mga kasama ko nung third and fourth set. Ang mindset ko lang po talaga ay makatulong ako sa team.”
Carrying a bigger burden in Jhocson's post-Belen-Solomon era, the 22 year old readily admitted that she's still getting used to her new role.
Fortunately for her, not only do her teammates continue to cheer her on, but head coach Regine Diego also keeps her cool, calm, and collected.
“Sa training pa lang po, binibigyan niya na ako ng mga advices na ganito gawin mo para hindi ka mahirapan, para mapadali yung role mo dyan, ganito gawin mo,” she said.
P-Arah sa Jhocson
With the Lady Bulldogs dealing with the departures of the cornerstones of their dynasty, the biggest challenge for the holdovers is proving that the title still goes through them.
And that was all that ran through Panique’s head. Even with her soaring stats, she only focused on seeing the comeback through.
“Hindi ko masyadong iniisip kung nakailang points po,” she explained. “Ang iniisip ko lang po talaga ay makatulong ako sa team kasi isa rin po ako sa pinagkakatiwalaan nila.”
Just in the early throes of the tournament and National U has unleashed its newest weapons, first, promising prospect Sam Cantada and now, Panique - giving veterans Vange Alinsug and Lams Lamina a capable and confident supporting cast in this title defense.
READ: No surprise NU came alive once Lamina was on the floor
And even better for the proud program, its breakout opposite hitter vowed to keep it all up, all for the Lady Bulldogs and their faithful.
As she put it, “If kailangan ko talagang mag-deliver, mag-step up, gagawin ko po.”
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