The rich get richer.
NCAA Season 91 Finals MVP and Best Blocker Jeanette Panaga formally announced her signing with two-time V-League champions Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors.
A former member of the Cignal HD Spikers in the Philippine Superliga, Panaga told Tiebreaker Times her move was a result of Pocari Sweat management’s persistence and patience with her.
“I decided to join them kasi una, noon palang kinakausap na nila ako -0 even my family. They have really shown so much interest and sincerity sa pagkuha sa akin pero nirespeto nila lahat ng decision ko at hinintay ako nang maayos,” the 22-year-old said.
“Also, yung mga magging teammates ko dun nakasama ko na din yung iba before sa AVC so magaan din on my part na d ako total stranger sa pupuntahan kong team,” she added as she will suit up with Pocari Sweat pillars Myla Pablo, Elaine Kasilag, and Melissa Gohing.
“Jeanette is exactly the type of player we have been looking to recruit for the last couple of years. Big, mobile, ferocious and a champion. We have had significant success with our CSB players like Rica, Rossan, and Mau so it’s only natural that in our search for a dominant Middle Blocker we once again tapped CSB to fill up our need,” expressed Pocari Sweat team manager Atty. Eric Ty, adding that they tied Panaga to a two-year deal.
“I have no doubts that she will bring our team success and we look forward to working with her. Jeanette is a Lady Warrior not a Diva and I predict that at the end of her career she will become our team’s all time blocks leader.”
The College of Saint Benilde alumna is the latest of Pocari Sweat whirlwind of off-season signings that includes Fille Cayetano and Jessey De Leon.
Before Panaga joined the Lady Warriors, she had failed to defend their NCAA championship in the on-going Season 92.
This motivates her to help Pocari Sweat defend their double-crown.
“At first kasi, nanghina talaga loob ko na parang nawalan ako ng gana na ‘bakit ganun, binigay ko naman yung best ko bakit kulang? Grabe yung sakripisyo ng team namin pero di kami nag-succeed?,'” the 5-foot-11 middle blacker said about Saint Benilde’s recent failure.
“But later on I realized na, we cannot question God’s timing and plans for us. Alam ko na yung pinagpaguran ko noon, magbubunga din and who knows baka dito sa pagsali ko sa Pocari, dito lumabas yung fruits ng hard work ko noon diba. So excited talaga ako and really inspired to work harder dahil mas mataas na level na ang haharapin namin dito.”
“That’s one thing that made me decide also to join them. They are a champion team. And gusto ko masama sa team na champion hindi lang sa skills, pero yung champion sa puso talaga and maganda kasi yug nakikita kong character ng team pag pinapanood ko sila. So I want to be a part of that,” the Bataan-native added.
Panaga’s addition makes Pocari Sweat instant title favorites even if the Philippine V-League is still months away.
