Filling in the shoes of someone who is the steadiest player in the team is never easy — especially if that squad is a champion team.
Much is expected of current De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers converted setter Chi-chi Cardiente, who has taken over the cudgels from last season’s Best Setter Djanel Cheng.
For the rookie setter, it had been overwhelming at first.
“First of all, super pressured talaga ko kasi achi Djanel is like the setter talaga, Best Setter at super veteran. Nung high school pa lang ako nakikita ko na siya kaya sobrang pressured,” the 20-yer-old admitted.
“At the same time nacha-challenge ako na … hindi naman tapatan, pero at least to fill in talaga yung pagiging leader niya, driver.”
Cardiente, who was born in Iriga City, is fortunate that her predecessor continues to guide her in every step of the way.
It was not an easy transition, however, for the former National University Lady Bullpup, who is used to finishing the rally rather than setting up the spikers.
However as the season went on, the converted playmaker believes she is getting the hang of her new role. She said, “Sa ngayon, pataas. Minsan bumababa pero tinatry kong pataasin kasi yun yung kailangan ng intensity namin.”
“Per game kasi talaga may lesson akong natutunan,” the Lady Blazer continued. “For example, yung play kailangan iba-iba sa iba’t ibang kalaban. Sabi ni coach Macky [Cariño], hindi ka setter unless marunong kang mag-block, dumepensa, mag-serve. Yung mga yun.”
Cardiente uses Saint Benilde’s status as defending champions as her primary fuel to do well in every match. “I’m using it as a motivation kasi hindi rin madali yung nangyari last year, coming din from stepladder.”
“Yun nga ginagamit ko siya as motivation na kahit first year ako, kaya ko ‘to, dadalhin ko yung team ko. Kasi, sabi nga nila, hindi excuse yung pagiging first-year setter mo. Kailangang panindigan mo yan kasi nandiyan ka na.”
That determination does not come from nowhere, as the rookie frequently gets encouraging words from her seniors, captain Jeanette Panaga and middle hitter Ranya Musa.
“Lagi kaming nag-uusap, [sabi nila na], ‘Chi, may tiwala kami sa yo. Hindi [tayo] makakapunta rito kung hindi dahil sa ‘yo,” she shared.
“Chi, ikaw ang driver. May tiwala kami sa yo,” Cariño described.
To which, the budding setter repays with improved playmaking and increasing will to win. Cardiente shared, “Gagawin lang namin kung ano yung ginagawa namin. Pero hindi lang double time, triple time kung kailangan.”
“Sa amin, no mercy na,” she vowed.
