Cherry Nunag can confidently say that she’s made it.
From being a player at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, she carved a challenging path from being unknown to being a part of Alas Pilipinas – the country’s women’s national volleyball team.
On a rainy Saturday evening, the 5-foot-10 middle blocker made her first start for the Philippines as they defeated Iran in straight sets at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, paving the way for a semifinal ticket in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Looking back, the Choco Mucho blocker is simply grateful for her journey – a path less taken by volleyball players who didn’t make it to the UAAP and NCAA during their collegiate years.
“Hindi siya madali knowing na hindi ka naging part ng NCAA and UAAP hindi madaling bumuo ng pangalan or something.
“Yung ibang tao nagugulat pa saan galing itong tao na ito so for me happy ako sa lahat ng pinagdaanan ko mula umpisa, step by step and kung saan man ako, nandidito ako at kung saan pa pupunta yung journey at yung career ko,” said Nunag.
The pride of Floridablanca, Pampanga managed to score four points, including three in the first set that set the tone for Alas as they swiftly finished off the Iranians for a 3-0 slate, moving one win away from sweeping Pool A.
But Nunag knows she can do even better.
“Medyo kulang pa actually. Ang dami ko pa rin gustong ilabas,” she said.
“Super thankful ako sa binibigay sa akin na opportunity ni coach na makapaglaro knowing na kailangan ready ako palagi sa Second Six kasi mabilis lang yung tournament, every day kami naglalaro so kailangan always prepared ka pa rin anytime na kunin ka niya sa labas.”
The Philippines will face Chinese Taipei tomorrow for a pool sweep before heading into the knockout crossover semis, where they will face either Vietnam, Hong Kong, or Kazakhstan.
This is the first national team to reach the semifinals of a continental tournament, and to be a part of it, Nunag was just in awe.
“Actually ito naman talaga yung pinakahihintay namin sa volleyball community na makapasok yung national team ng Philippines sa semis kasi ito pa nga yung hindi natin nagagawa,” said Nunag.
“So for me, it’s a big privilege na maging part ng national team lalo na itong batch na ito kasi sobrang ganda ng performance.”
