FEU Lady Tamaraws standout Celine Domingo will take on the mantle of captain for the Philippine Women’s Under-23 National Volleyball team in the 2019 Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championships.
The 5-foot-9 middle blocker also plays for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2019 PVL Reinforced Conference. She will lead the 14-strong squad in the invitational tournament, which takes place from July 4 to 10.
And U-23 National team head coach Kungfu Reyes sees Domingo as the anchor who will provide stability with her experience and veteran presence.
“Nag-come up nga sila [Creamline] na papayagan nila si Celine na makapaglaro nga sa Under-23. So thankful kami kay Creamline na pinayagan yung tao nila,” Reyes beamed.
“So si Celine na yung pinaka-senior na maglalaro doon, so that’s why she will be our captain ball.”
But Domingo refuses to succumb to the pressure in the face of such a daunting task. Instead, the 20-year-old relishes the opportunity to showcase what she is capable of – not just as a player, but also as a leader.
“Sobrang malaki [para sa career ko] kasi first time ko ‘to eh,” confessed Domingo, who inherited the leadership role for the U-23 team after supposed-captain Isa Molde was deemed unavailable because of her commitment with Motolite.
“Sobrang nagulat [ako sa pagkakapili] kasi bago lang naman ako dito, then ako kaagad yung binigyan ng ganito kalaking responsibility,” the UAAP Season 80 Best Blocker recounted.
“Na-overwhelm din ako, and thankful [ako] kasi pinagkatiwalaan ako ni Coach Kungfu na i-handle ‘yung team.”
Moreover, Domingo played only sparingly in majority of Creamline’s preliminary round in the import-flavored conference of the PVL. Now, she looks to make the most out of the favorable situation that chanced upon her. She will also use this opportunity to pay off the good faith that her coaches have invested in her.
“Siyempre, hindi ako masyadong ganoon nakakalaro sa Creamline. Dito ko na lang ilalabas yung mga natutunan kay Coach Tai (Bundit), and yung mga matututunan ko kay Coach Tina (Salak) and Coach Kungfu (Reyes),” she continued.
As she takes over the reins of leadership, Domingo will bank on her relatively young teammates, who includes Mafe Galanza, Lyn Galdones, Ysa Jimenez, Maji Mangulabnan, Rachelle Roldan, Imee Hernandez, and Janna Torres of UST; Angel Canino of DLSZ; Ivanna Agudo and Lyann De Guzman of FEU; Rossie Rosier and Jewel Encarnacion of UP; and Justine Jazareno of DLSU.
The Thailand-bound team has admittedly little to no experience in competing overseas. Still, Domingo confided that Reyes simply wants them to bring their A-game and soak up as much experience as possible.
“Sabi ni Coach Kungfu, hindi naman niya kami ipe-pressure na magkaroon ng target kasi puro mga bata kami,” she shared.
“Halos lahat sa amin first time maglaro international. Sabi lang niya maglaro lang kami ng maayos and ipakita namin kung ano yung kaya naming gawin. ‘Pag nanalo kami, bonus na lang yun.”
