If there is one player silently making waves since stepping foot in the PVL in 2016, it has to be Dell Palomata.
The towering blocker turned heads during Air Force’s finals clash versus Pocari Sweat back then, earning herself the nickname “The Secret Weapon”.
Since then, fans have been asking the federation to at least give her a crack at the national team.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation finally gave her that opportunity.
The 25-year-old prospect was one of the 12 middle blockers to receive an invite to the one-day national team tryout on April 29 at Subic Gym.
“Blessing po itong invitation na ito kasi matagal ko na po ito pinapangarap saka pinagdarasal na kahit sa tryout lang, makasama ako. Kaya sobrang saya ko na na-invite ako,” said the 6-foot-3 spiker.
“Napaka-importante sa career ko ito kasi minsan lang dumating sa buhay ko ito. Marami akong mapapasaya lalo na pamilya ko saka mga taong tumulong sa akin sa career ko.”
And with her dreams and prayers coming to fruition, Palomata will make sure to leave everything on the Taraflex during the tryouts.
Despite all the challenges she will face together with the best 39 women’s volleyball players in the country, the University of St. La Salle Bacolod product vows to fight for the spot.
“Para sa akin, ‘yung chance na ‘yan, dapat huwag sayangin kasi napaka-importanteng bagay po nito sa akin eh. Ito na ‘yun,” said the Batan, Aklan native.
“Siyempre kailangan pa rin muna paghirapan, magtiyaga, mag-training nang mabuti para sa huli, walang pagsisisi.”
But with all the sacrifices needed, Palomata will not forget the main goal of playing sports — doing it to be happy, and to make others happy as well.
“Ang ipapakita ko sa tryout is siyempre ‘yung best ko. Enjoy lang po. ‘Yung masaya lang kahit mahirap, kakayanin.”
