Aby Maraño took on an interesting challenge for F2 Logistics in its 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference debut.
Known for her solid net defense and flawless running attacks, the 5-foot-8 middle blocker shocked the 2,304 spectators inside the PhilSports Arena. She showed up wearing a white Cargo Movers jersey against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday afternoon.
Maraño and outside hitter Ara Galang suited up as liberos. The two filled in for Dawn Macandili (undisclosed injury) and CJ Saga.
“Masaya. Siyempre ano, lagi tayong magte-take ng responsibility when needed,” said the 29-year-old Maraño, a multiple-time Best Middle Blocker. “Actually, ilang araw lang — parang three days lang na sobrang short time ng preparation para maging libero ako. Kasi may mga circumstances na dumating.
“Pero sinabi ko sa sarili ko, kailangan kong tanggapin kaagad sa puso ko para magampanan ko nang maayos ‘yung role. Kasi kung hindi ko siya tatanggapin, baka hindi magiging smooth ‘yung mga galaw. Baka hanapin ko pa ‘yung pag-palo. Alam mo ‘yun, kailangan ano eh, gagawin mo siya ng walang pagdududa at saka panghihinayang. Walang reservations,” she continued.
F2 Logistics, which also missed the services of Lindsay Stalzer and Tin Tiamzon due to health and safety protocols, eventually lost the game in straight sets, 23-25, 21-25, 22-25.
Maraño admitted that she is still adjusting to her temporary role as she only had three days to prepare before their debut. Now, with her first game as a defensive specialist in the books, the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player said that she will focus on improving her passing skills as the team awaits the return of Macandili and Saga.
“Yung ano ko lang siguro, ‘yung mga off-system na control na set. Mga controlled sets sa wing spikers namin. Kasi, madaming ganoon eh. Repetition, dapat i-train ko ‘yun eh. Dahil ngayon lang nangyari sa akin na ako na ‘yung magse-set. ‘Pag setters na ‘yung naka-receive, second na magse-set is libero or middle pero most of the time ako,” said Maraño.
“Hindi pa masyadong, hindi ko pa masyadong napa-polish ‘yung control ko doon sa bola. Pero syempre, little by little, tatrabahuhin natin ‘yan sa ensayo, para sa mga susunod na laban, ma-polish ko na siya,” she added.
F2 Logistics head coach Benson Bocboc cleared that both Maraño and Galang will go back to their respective roles once their liberos return.
“No, definitely not. We’re just doing some, you know, it’s not a plan. We have to be ready lang just in case na may mangyari in terms of health concerns,” Bocboc said.
“So ready naman nakita naman natin hindi tayo nagpabaya sa receive hindi nagpabaya sa depensa. Kinapos lang kasi atake nang atake yung kabila. Hindi tayo nakablock. We’ll get it back for the next game,” he added.
The Cargo Movers will take on Choco Mucho on Thursday at 5:30 PM.
