In the DLSU Lady Spikers’ ongoing UAAP campaign, Cyd Demecillo has been in-and-out of the team’s rotation due to an injury to her left shin. However, fans and supporters alike were greeted with a welcome sign, as the graduating open hitter finally made her return to La Salle’s starting six last Saturday.
During the Lady Spikers’ tough five-set 25-14, 25-9, 22-25, 19-25, 15-7 win against FEU, Demecillo finished the game with 12 points and 12 excellent digs. She also scored five crucial points that led to her team’s sixth win of the season.
“It feels good to be back [in the starting six]. I mean, di ba galing ako [from an] injury tapos sub-sub lang tapos ngayon I get to play na [without restrictions],” Demecillo told Tiebreaker Times. “Siyempre, ang main goal ko lang sa team na ito is to contribute and siyempre as a senior, kailangan ko rin maglead sa kanila [at] sa mga bata.”
“Noong nasa court ako, inisip ko talaga na parang every point counts. Parang hindi ko hahayaan na [magkaroon] ng error or parang dagdag lang ng dagdag ng points. I mean, di ba, ang dami na rin nangyari. Nag-fifth set [tapos] pagod na rin ang mga bata so parang kailangan ko din gumalaw para sumunod sila.”
While she was recovering from her injury, La Salle’s rookie open hitters Ernestine Tiamzon and May Luna took turns filling for Demecillo’s spot. When asked about her assessment on the way the rookies have held the fort, Demecillo immediately gave them her vote of confidence and said she had even seen signs of her younger self in them.
“Sobrang natutuwa ako sa kanilang dalawa kasi sobrang [sinsubukan] nila ang best nila to fill-in ‘yung position ko,” she explained. “[May] kumpiyansa din ako sa dalawa, [dahil] siyempre galing din sila sa mga ibang leagues dati sa [respective] high school [nila] at may experience din sila.”
“So, parang ako lang din dati, kung [sino] ang senior dati, kung ano ‘yung pinapalitan ko dati parang ganoon lang din. Parang history repeats itself.”
Aside from being a vital cog in her team’s offensive attack, Demecillo also aims to pass on all the valuable lessons she can give to the team’s younger players. All the experiences gained in those intense volleyball duels and off-season tournaments will surely come in handy for anyone.
“Sobrang laki ng role ko as an ate. Kasi siyempre sa amin sila nakatingin so dapat gawin namin kung ano ang dapat gawin ng senior,” she added.
Now, Demecillo looks forward to polishing her game further as La Salle look to avenge their first round loss against the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses this coming Saturday, 4:00 pm, at the Filoil Flying V Center.
“Sobrang motivated [ako] siyempre noong time na iyon wala talaga akong laro,” she closed. “Ngayon, at least nakukuha ko na ‘yung composure ko, ‘yung talon ko at nakabalik na ako [fully] sa training. So, motivated talaga ako [kasi] siyempre last year ko na.”
