For 22 years, volleyball was Aby Maraño’s life.
From the early days of her career in De La Salle University to becoming one of the most recognizable names in Philippine volleyball, Maraño gave nearly everything she had to the sport.
And even now, as she steps away from professional volleyball, it is not because she has nothing left to give.
In fact, she knows she can still play.
“Actually, hindi naman naging overnight decision sa akin ang pag-retire. Matagal ko na ring inihahanda ang sarili ko na darating talaga yung time na kailangan kong mag-transition from playing professionally to another chapter of my life,” said the 33-year-old Maraño.
“After 22 years of playing volleyball, masasabi kong kaya ko pa naman physically and competitively. Wala naman akong major injury, and I know that I can still compete,” she added.
But when her contract with Nxled—her 10th club in a storied 22-year volleyball career—came to an end, something felt different.
Instead of feeling excited about finding another team, negotiating another contract, and preparing for another season, Maraño found herself looking forward to something she had rarely experienced in her adult life: the possibility of a life outside professional volleyball.
That was when Maraño realized she might finally be ready to close one of the biggest chapters of her life. After playing the sport that she loves for more than two decades, she felt she had done enough already to make peace with letting it go.
“Pero when my contract with Nxled ended, doon ko napansin sa sarili ko na instead of feeling excited about finding another team and negotiating another contract, mas naging excited ako sa possibility ng isang buhay sa labas ng propesyonal na paglalaro ng balibol,” she explained.
“Doon ko na-realize na baka ito na talaga yung time. I had reached a point where I was already at peace with the idea of letting go of professional volleyball kasi wala naman na akong hinahabol sa career ko, nasulit ko na,” Maraño continued.
“Naibuhos ko na lahat para sa laro. Nag-eenjoy na lang talaga ako maglaro nitong huli.”
Retirement, however, does not mean she has stopped loving the sport that has given her so much over the past 22 years.
But after spending more than half of her life inside the four corners of a court, Maraño has come to understand that an athlete’s story does not end when the playing chapter does.
“Magre-retire ako hindi dahil hindi ko na mahal ang isport, kundi dahil ready na ako for a different purpose and a different way of serving. Naiintindihan ko kasi na may buhay sa labas ng apat na sulok ng court at ang libro ng buhay naming mga atleta ay hindi nagtatapos sa iilang kabanata lang — may hangganan ang kabanata ng paglalaro,” she said.
“Although volleyball shaped me in all aspects of life, at the end of the day, playing is not forever — there is more to life than this sport too. I am definitely taking everything I learned through the years of playing volleyball- the discipline, resilience, confidence, the sense of teamwork, and ability to work under pressure with me in this new chapter of my life,” she continued.
“So yeah, I guess this is it. I made peace in my heart already. My love for volleyball will always remain. I will continue to support the sport, the athletes, and the development of volleyball in whatever capacity I can.”
Still, knowing that it is the right decision does not make saying goodbye any easier.
“Mas masakit pa to sa pakikipag-break sa tao, sobrang sakit. Hindi ko alam kung saan ilalagay yung sakit that even until now while I’m having this conversion, naiiyak ako.”
(C) PVL Images
Yet somewhere in the sadness, Maraño also found peace.
Maraño, who built a decorated career from her days with De La Salle University in the amateur ranks to her seven-year stint with F2 Logistics in the semi-professional and professional leagues, had spent years preparing herself for the moment when she would eventually have to walk away.
Eventually, she began asking herself a question she had never really had the time to consider—what would it feel like to live a normal life without the constant pressure of professional volleyball?
And the fact that she became genuinely curious—and even excited—about the answer told her enough.
“I believe that some things have to end in order for something great to start. So yes, there was sadness, but there was also peace. I think that’s when I knew it was the right decision,” said the two-time UAAP MVP.
While her next chapter would be entirely different from what she had grown accustomed to, Maraño would take everything volleyball had taught her and carry it into a new role—one that would allow her to continue serving others differently.
And fittingly, that new chapter would bring her back to a place that had already played a major part in her life.
Maraño has joined F2 Logistics, returning to an organization that has been part of her life for years as she begins her transition into the corporate world.
She spent seven years with the Cargo Movers as a player, helping the team win six championships in the now-defunct Philippine Super Liga. Maraño was also part of the squad when F2 Logistics made the jump to the Premier Volleyball League before eventually disbanding in 2022.
“I’m now with F2 Logistics, which is actually a very meaningful transition for me because F2 has been part of my life for so many years,” Maraño shared.
“I spent seven years with F2 as a player, and even after the team was disbanded and I moved on to play with another team, I remained close with Sir Efren (CEO) and we continued to communicate,” she added.
Looking back, Maraño knows she would not have become the player she was without the guidance of her former De La Salle University coach, Ramil De Jesus.
It was under De Jesus that Maraño developed not only her game, but also the discipline, toughness, and confidence that would eventually become hallmarks of her career.
“Malaking bagay din sa akin na naging player ako ni Coach Ramil de Jesus. He became a huge part of my journey as an athlete, a leader and as a person. That’s one experience in my career that I will always treasure, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” the former Lady Spikers captain said.
And while “Tyang Aby” is now preparing for a life beyond the court, the player she was for 22 years will not be easy to forget.
She will be remembered not only for the championships, accolades, and countless battles she fought throughout her career.
Not only for the swagger, the oozing confidence, and the colorful hair clips that became part of her signature look.
But also for the resilience she showed in overcoming adversity in life, carrying the same grit and determination that defined her journey on the volleyball court.
For the unmistakable presence that made Maraño, well, Maraño.
“I also hope that they will remember me, hindi lang yung Tyang na maraming hair clips, hindi lang yung Tyang na i-a-Aby Maraño ka bawat puntos, hindi lang yung Tyang na kapitana, hindi lang yung Tyang Aby na maangas sa court, hindi lang yung Tyang na makikipagpatayan para sa bola,” she said.
“Kundi maging yung Tyang Aby na may paninindigan at lakas ng loob para humarap sa anumang hamon ng buhay.”
