Antipolo will always have a special place in Abigail Maraño’s heart.
It is where Maraño first fell in love with volleyball — a budding love that would later bloom for a sport she would dedicate most of her life to.
And so, when PSL organized an out-of-town in Antipolo for Maraño and her F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, the 26-year-old couldn’t keep a tight rein on her emotions. After all, it was a homecoming 10 years in the making.
“Ang sarap ng feeling kasi days before kami nagpunta dito, nag-mindset talaga ako na excited talaga ako maglaro,” the product of La Salle confided.
But Maraño’s return was more special because of the venue. Besides the esteemed opportunity of playing at the historical Ynares Sports Center, it marked another milestone for the proud daughter of Rizal, Antipolo.
“Taga-dito kasi ako sa Antipolo, tsaka never ako nakalaro dito sa Ynares.
“Dati noong nag-STCAA [Southern Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association] kami, dito kami nagpa-practice ng marching sa harap ng Ynares,” the seven-time PSL Best Blocker added. “‘Nagtatayo kami ng volleyball, diyan kami nagta-training sa init ng arawan. So, kasama ‘to sa mga memories ko sa paglalaro.”
On Tuesday evening, that long-time hope and dream finally turned into reality.
Photo by Roman Prospero/PSL
As she scored nine points in the match, her hometown showered Maraño with cheers and a massive rounds of applause, so she could not doubt the love they have for her. Given this, the 5-foot-9 spiker hopes that she was able to reciprocate that love with her passionate performance.
As she put it, “Sabi ko, ‘Gusto ko makapaglaro sa Ynares na maganda ‘yung laro ko; na mapakita ko sa mga Antipoleño na bunga ako ng Antipolo.
“Na maging proud sila sa akin at ma-inspire ‘yung mga kabataan na ma-engage ‘yung sports at tsaka ipagpatuloy nila ‘yung dreams nila, kasi isa ako sa mga produkto ng bayan namin.”
