Dimdim Pacres nearly walked away from volleyball after being offered multiple opportunities that ultimately fell through.
And on Tuesday night, the long and painful wait was finally over.
The 26-year-old fan favorite made his much-anticipated debut in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference with the Galeries Tower.
“Sobrang tagal ko kasing inantay. Ang daming pinagdaanan, ang daming expectations tapos nag-fail ganun. Like the past two years, marami dito (sa team na) parang na-scam. Hindi madali,” said Pacres, who has been working hard to carve a path back into the sport over the last two years – including trying out for an MPVA team.
“Yun nga, parang nag-expect kami akala namin makakapaglaro ulit ganiyan so balik workout, tapos hanggang dumating na sa point na parang nagwo-workout ka tapos ‘para san ‘to?’ ganun, baka ma-scam ka ulit, parang puro excuse na lang,” she added.
The former University of Sto. Tomas standout had last played in the PVL back in 2018. Here, she scored four points in her professional debut off the bench in the Highrisers’ 25-11, 26-24, 25-22 loss to perennial contender Petro Gazz at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Before receiving the call from the new PVL squad, Pacres started a food business while also working numerous jobs in the past four years.
The energetic opposite hitter admitted that she went through depression at the time. She had even considered quitting the sport for good and focusing on a different field.
Pacres also recalled a time in her life when she wanted to do a social media blackout after seeing numerous videos and updates about the UAAP and the PVL.
“Dumaan sa depression, lahat na, ‘di mo na alam kung anong gagawin mo, lahat ng trabaho napasukan na. Nagbebenta na ako ng kwek-kwek, ang dami kong ano may shake ako, tapos may suman pa,” revealed Pacres.
“Pero thankful naman ako sa lahat ng mga challenges na napagdaanan ko kasi ang dami kong natutunan, ang dami kong na-appreciate, and grateful talaga ako sa lahat ng nangyari kasi kung hindi nangyari yun di ako maggo-grow tapos every small thing parang di mo ma-appreciate,” she continued.
“Ayun, yun talaga parang masasabi ko talaga kay Lord sobrang answered prayer talaga ‘to sakin kasi ilang taon din nabigyan ulit ako ng chance na makapaglaro sa pro so ito na yun, sobrang happy ko. Saktong September pa siya pumasok, sabi ko ‘Lord kahit plot twist lang.”
Still, despite calls from her family to quit the sport, Pacres tried her best to keep herself in shape. And her unwavering passion for the sport eventually paid off.
She received a call from head coach Lerma Giron to join her newly-formed squad.
“Akala ko nga coach may papadala ka galing Cebu eh,” shared Pacres with a hearty laugh.
“Pumunta ako dito para akong mag-tryout sa ibang team. ‘Di ko naman inexpect na mag-chat. Baka may pa (ipapasama)’to si coach Lerma, baka papapuntahin ako sa UST. Baka may ganto si coach Kung Fu, tapos biglang parang isang gabi, overnight lang, parang may blessing na agad na ‘di mo inexpect na darating,” she added.
Pacres thanked her fans for continuously motivating her and for patiently waiting for her return. She also expressed her utmost gratitude to her former college coach, Kung Fu Reyes, who helped her stay the course and pursue her dream.
“Ayun nga, one time parang nag-drama na ako kay Xoach Kung Fu, nag-chat siya sakin kasi parang lumalaki na talaga ako tapos sabi ko… si coach Kung Fu kasi parang college pa lang parang siya yung parang motivation ko sa kahit (saan), siya lang. Parang, every word na sinasabi niya sakin parang namomotivate ako,” Pacres said.
The former Fighting Warays spiker revealed that her performance in the Second All-Filipino Conference would decide her future in the sport.
But for now, she’ll make sure to cherish every moment of this precious opportunity.
“Ako ayaw ko pa mag-stop kasi alam kong meron pa kong kayang ipakita. Parang ‘di pa ko satisfied nung collegiate ako eh, parang feeling ko talaga meron so sabi ko kahit isang conference bigyan ako ng chance ulit para dun ko makita if kailangan ko pa bang magpatuloy or kailangan ko ng mag-stop,” said Pacres.
“So ayun, tignan natin ngayon conference if talagang… parang ito yung magiging judgement ko, itong conference na ‘to if magsastop na ba ako or for the long term na tayo na work.”
