La Salle winger Desiree Cheng knows criticism, valid or invalid, very well. Since coming in as a heavily-recruited rookie from Hope Christian High School, Cheng has fielded immense pressure to fill in as a consistent threat for the Lady Spikers.
Her UAAP journey has been mostly challenging, from suffering heartbreaks in the UAAP Season 76 and 77 Finals to having to sit out La Salle’s championship rally in Season 78 due to an ACL tear.
Many were skeptic Cheng would ever live up to her billing, but the soft-spoken hitter has slowly been getting into form right when La Salle needs her.
Season 79 was turbulent to start for Cheng, but she eventually peaked and powered La Salle to the title, even earning Finals Most Valuable Player recognition.
In Season 80, Cheng has been a steady presence in a season where the Lady Spikers are turning over the reigns to a new setter in Michelle Cobb.
Against UST, Cheng pitched in 16 points and 12 excellent receptions then followed up with 10 points and seven excellent receptions against UP.
With a 2-0 record, La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus acknowledged Cheng’s importance to the team’s success so far.
“Well, isa siya sa mga veterans sa team.
“Alam niya na ‘yung mga kailangan igalaw sa loob ng court and isa siya sa mga mapagkakatiwalaan mo, lalo na kapag crucial,” said De Jesus.
Cheng says that her play so far has come from her conscious effort to focus only how she plays and not mind what else anybody thinks of her.
“Hindi naman siguro sa confident, more on comfortable na ako na gumalaw. Hindi na ako sobrang takot, hindi na ako sobrang shaky na iisipin ko pa ‘yung sasabihin ng tao or whatever or even ng coaches afterwards,” the 21-year-old outside hitter thought.
“Siguro, ngayon mas open na ako and free gumalaw on my own. I know na makaka-contribute ako as a team. Basta ‘yung lang, masaya na ako.”
Now one of the veterans on the team, Cheng is embracing her role as one of the leaders who is expected to guide her younger teammates.
“Ambilis ng panahon, parang dati lang isa ka sa mga bata sa team,” the 5-foot-8 spiker shared. “Pero ganoon talaga, dumadating tayo sa point na last playing year or second-to-the-last playing year mo na, so kailangan mo na itake-on ‘yung responsibility ng mga seniors dati.
“It’s part of being an athlete.”
