Creamline middle blocker Bea De Leon finally realized one of her lifelong dreams on Thursday night.
Back in 2013, De Leon posted a picture together with then-La Salle star Michele Gumabao and manifested that she would play with her long-time idol in front of a thousand fans inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former Ateneo middle blocker, who transferred from Choco Mucho to the Cool Smashers during the off-season, missed the chance to fulfill that dream on opening night after she was ruled out of their debut in Araneta.
But that dream finally turned into reality last night.
De Leon was finally able to share the court with Gumabao in the historic arena with 17,396-strong fans watching.
Making things sweeter, De Leon was named Player of the Game after providing Creamline with a huge boost in their 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 sweep of her former squad.
“Sobrang blessing. Hindi ko akalain na darating ako sa punto sa career ko na ito na, nandito ako,” said De Leon, who took a photo with Gumabao after the game.
“From a kid na super scrawny and didn’t even know how to play quick, I mean, I didn’t even know the rules. Pero ayun kasama ko na sila ngayon, pareho kaming lumaban. Dream come true talaga,” she added.
One day, I will play at Araneta with her in front of a thousand people, doing what I love to do. #Gumabao #AN1MO pic.twitter.com/yE6X6Dek6K
— Bea de Leon (@_beadel) February 24, 2013
De Leon posted nine points on six attacks and three kill blocks against the Flying Titans. And her performance gave Creamline’s semifinals push a shot in the arm after they moved to 8-2 in the standings, tying their opponent at the top spot.
The 27-year-old middle blocker from Ateneo admitted that she felt nervous at first but credited her teammates and coaches for their guidance throughout the important match.
“For me, siguro at some point talagang big game din kinabahan din ako at some point. Talagang nakikita mo rin talaga sa teammates ko and coaches ko na grabe yung guidance and tiwala sa akin,” said De Leon.
“Andyan lang talaga sila, literally behind my back, Ate Ly (Valdez) is always there, whispering wisdom. Yung tiwala nila ‘yun yung nagpakalma sa akin na sa tiwala ko sa sarili ko and lalo na sa ginagawa ng team.”
