Towering middle hitter Geneveve Casugod had been a huge part of the Far Eastern University’s resurgence in UAAP Season 77, helping the Lady Tamaraws break their five-year Final Four drought.
Mysteriously, Casugod suddenly vanished from the volleyball scene, only to pop up in the 2016 PSL list of draftees.
Drafted fourth overall by the Generika Lifesavers, Casugod made an emphatic debut, scoring 11 points which includes four blocks.
“Sobrang kabado ako kanina kaya medyo down yung laro ko,” Casugod insisted.
It turns out, she had all the reasons to be nervous, as she revealed that this was her first competitive match since giving birth last November 25 to a healthy baby boy, Sean Genesis.
“Nag-aalaga ako ng baby ko. Nag-focus ako sa kanya. Binalewala ko muna yung volleyball,” Casugod said as she explained her absence. “Sobrang saya ko (after giving birth). Parang worth it yung ginawa ko – hindi ko pinagsisihan. Sobrang normal lang kasi noong bata.”
“Pero nagkaroon din ng doubt kasi parang naiwan na ako sa volleyball,” she continued. “Nag-doubt ako sa sarili ko kasi baka hindi ko na kaya – baka hindi ko na maibalik yung dating laro ko.”
Although she had played in barangay leagues in her hometown Negros, Casugod would not have even entered the PSL Draft if not for the urging of Generika head coach Francis Vicente.
“Actually, hindi na dapat ako maglalaro. Kaso nag-explain siya (Vicente) sa akin na kailangan ko makabalik. Parang siya yung naging mentor ko simula ng napunta ako dito,” she said, adding that Vicente immediately treated her like a daughter.
Now a core member of a young and tall Generika team, Casugod wants to prove that women athletes like her can still play at a high level and improve.
“Gusto ko lang mapatunayan na kaya ko pa – kaya ko pang maglaro kahit nanganak na ako.”
Casugod and Generika look to earn their second win on Thursday against the 1-0 Foton Tornadoes at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
