The University of the Philippines Men’s Volleyball Team has been a consistent fixture in the UAAP Final Four in the early years of the last decade. That went on until Season 74; as since then the squad faltered.
This drought finally ended last year when the Alfred Valbuena-led iteration of the UP squad reached the semifinals after three years with coach Rod Palmero at the helm.
After their failed bid in making a Finals return against Ateneo, the team had their dinner. In that dinner was a person who was instrumental in making UP a contender in the said period of early 2000’s: Hans Chuacuco.
Coach Palmero offered Hans something to ponder on that night.
“Sasali kami sa Spikers’ Turf, Okay ba tayo na magkaroon ng guest player?”
Chuacuco at first hesitated. He said, “Time na ng mga bata to eh: for exposure, for experience.” However, the former half of UP’s 1-2 punch in the outside position has not totally closed his door on the possibility. Hans left a piece of commitment.
“Kung saan ako makakatulong sa team, gagamitin niyo ko paghihirapan ko muna.”
When Spikers’ Turf rules indeed confirmed that guest players would be allowed, the return was inevitable. Chuacuco, nonetheless, insisted in earning his spot in the team, rather than being given the free pass.
“Ayaw kong ganun-ganun lang. So, nagtrain ako for almost three months. Kung ano yung ginagawa nila, sasabayan ko,” he shared.
He also offered to play as defensive specialist, which is something he really wanted to do before.
Time flew by and July 30 came. Chuacuco was emotional heading to the Ynares Sports Arena and wearing the UP uniform once more.
“Yung last UAAP jersey ko kasi, wala na sa kin. After what happened, ngayon lang uit ako nagkaroon ng jersey to represent my University. Sabi ko, ‘hindi ko pababayaan to,’”
he said almost breaking to tears. He added,
“Kung ito na yung last year ko playing volleyball, itotodo ko na ‘to for UP.”
It was a quiet but effective return for Hans after providing the necessary stability on defense for UP, en route to their opening win against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals. Chuacuco had 4 excellent receptions, subbing out primarily for second-year middle blocker and first-time starter Joshua Castillo.
After the win, Chuacuco was proud of how the Fighting Maroons made a comeback after being down a set. He shared, “Itong week na to, sobrang struggle na. Kasi nagalit sa min si coach. Talo kami nung tuneup [against EAC] in straight sets; tapos pull away yung score.” Chuacuco felt that the team kept that in mind and used it to change their fates come game day against the same Generals team.
The new Fighting Maroons may be fighting an uphill battle to become one of the formidable college men’s volleyball teams in the country, but Chuacuco saw potential in this new generation.
However, he also gave some words of advice on how the team could further enhance this potential. “Dun ko sila minomotivate. Na parang, ‘UP tayo, di tayo lalaban ng palakasan, utakan tayo.’ Kailangan lumaro tayo ng mind games.” He added, “Oo, malakas tayo, pero kung gagamitan natin ng utak, ang hirap nating talunin.”
Nonetheless, Chuacuco still believes that what the current UP team lacks in their game is what the former squads used to become contenders: enthusiasm and enjoyment. Hans said, “They just have to enjoy everything: our skills, the event itself. We have to embrace na malakas tayo as a team.”
The return of Chuacuco sparked something in the Fighting Maroons and they are off a great start. What happens after that is just the interesting part.
