Aby Maraño was a born leader, and she proved that with Chery Tiggo.
The 5-foot-8 middle blocker of the defunct F2 Logistics was one of the key players that the Crossovers signed during the offseason along with Ara Galang.
Despite Maraño being a newbie to Chery Tiggo, head coach Kungfu Reyes and his staff still entrusted her to be the team’s captain for this 2024 Premier Volleyball League season.
Maraño, however, had no difficulties adjusting to the team and being the one who guides the Crossovers composed of young stars.
“Maraming beses na rin ako nag-team captain sa national team so yung – iba-iba kasi talaga personality ng mga players and character. Sa ngayon sa edad ko na ito, hindi na ako nahihirapan pagdating sa ganyan,” said the 31-year-old skipper.
“Mani-mani na lang sa akin yun. Para sa akin, every time na mapupunta ako sa team na binibigyan ako ng ganitong role, ini-embrace ko siya because not everyone are given the chance of this kind of responsibility,” she continued.
She was also the captain of the Cargo Movers aside from her stints in the Philippine women’s national volleyball team.
Although this was the first time in her professional career that she has donned a different color of uniform, Maraño shared that she and Galang are at home with Chery Tiggo.
The Crossovers successfully started their All-Filipino Conference campaign with a rousing win against Capital1, 25-6, 25-15, 25-15, on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“Nae-excite ako every day sa ensayo, tapos today… Actually bago ako pumasok sa dugout, merong slight na thought na pumasok sa isip ko. Sabi ko ‘first time na naka-red akong papasok dito’,” said the passionate middle blocker.
“Pero yung feeling na kasama mo yung Chery Tiggo, at home na at home kami kasi never kami nagkaroon ng feeling na awkward or parang naiba kami sa kanila.”
With her familiar role in an unfamiliar setting, leading a team has been natural for Maraño, going as far as considering it as her “calling and purpose” in life.
In her debut for the Crossovers, she poured in six points in just two sets of action.
“I am the one na nabigyan nang ganito, hindi ako para magreklamo or hindian (ito). Kung ano lang yung papagawa nila coach sa akin, paninindigan ko yun and at the same time gusto ko rin talaga, nasa personality ko yung maguide ko sila not just inside the court but also in life, yun naman talaga siguro yung calling at purpose ko.”
