The Army Lady Troopers are pioneers of local volleyball.
From the mid-2000s until today, the Lady Troopers remain a staunch presence in club leagues.
But despite their persistence, the pillars of the once great Army team could not outrun Father Time.
Donning Smart’s colors for the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup, Army still proved they were one of the best teams with a semifinals stint.
That, however, was as far as their old knees could take them.
Still relying on legends Ging Balse-Pabayo, Joanne Bunag, and Nene Bautista, Army failed to get past the Petron Blaze Spikers in the semifinals before falling to Cignal HD in the bronze medal tiff.
“Pinipilit talaga namin na sumabay.
“Sabi ko nga kay (Cignal) coach Edgar (Barroga) kanina, sobrang steady nang nilaro nila. Nakakuha kami ng butas, pero very consistent ‘yung galaw ng Cignal. Talagang pinilit namin until the last point. Pero, iba ‘yung nilaro ng Cignal. Mas marami kaming na-commit na error na pumuputol sa mga run namin,” admitted Smart-Army head coach Kungfu Reyes.
“Siguro nag-dominate din ‘yung pagiging malaki nila sa amin and pagiging bata. We keep pushing to create points, pero hanggang dito na lang kami. Sabi ko nga, kung lilingon kami, ang raming mas mababa sa amin. Maganda ‘to para hindi mawala ‘yung push namin,” the enlisted Army personnel added.
For their continued drive to compete, Reyes had nothing but kind words for his veterans.
“Kino-commend ko pa rin sila na hanggang dulo, hanggang sa huling sipol ng referee, lumalaban sila. Kahit tumutukod na sila sa mga tuhod nila, talagang nandoon pa rin ‘yung desire nila. Nag-iba na lang talaga ng estado ng katawan,” said Reyes.
“Wala na ‘yung leaping ability, pero tumibay pa ‘yung judgement. Hindi na lang talaga siguro katulad noong five years before, na ‘Taasan mo ako ng bola, ako na bahala’. Kaya pa rin naman nila, pero naaabot na sila. Medyo kulang na.”
After all, Reyes still consider’s Army the people’s team.
“Ilaban mo sa amin ‘yung mga 36-and-up kasi ‘yun ang range ng edad namin. Team pa rin naman ng bayan itong Army. Kung saan kami kailangan, nandoon kami to provide entertainment and inspiration para sa mga bata na malaking bagay pa rin naman, kahit papaano.”
