Legendary arena barker Rolly Manlapaz was known for giving descriptive nicknames. The most apt nickname he coined was perhaps “Boom” for burly opposite spiker Dimdim Pacres.
There are few more visceral sounds than the thud Pacres generates when connecting with a ball from a full approach.
“Boom” also connotes a destructive element to Pacres’ hitting, which was on full display when her Tacloban Fighting Warays upended the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors, Wednesday evening.
In a must-win fourth set, Pacres delivered devastating blows. Early in the frame, Pacres sent a hit hurdling towards Jeanette Panaga, who absorbed the spike with the left side of her face. A few points later, Pacres powered a hit cross-court towards Pocari Sweat-Air Forces’s ace Myle Pablo. The two-time PVL Most Valuable Player toppled, landing on her previously-injured back.
Both Lady Warriors still finished the match, but not without getting immediate sideline treatment.
The soft-spoken Pacres admitted to feeling remorseful.
“I feel bad kasi nga may nasaktan ako. Ayokong makasakit. Game po ‘yun eh,” the Cebuana shared after dropping 17 points on Pocari Sweat-Air Force.
“Sabi nga ng teammates ko, wala akong kasalanan doon kasi naglalaro lang naman ako, nagpe-perform ako. Nakokonsensya ako, pero ‘di ako nagpadala.”
Pacres was a late addition to Tacloban’s lineup, only joining the team in their sixth match of the conference. She has had a large impact, leading the team in scoring twice since.
“Si Dim subok naman ‘yan eh, dati ko pang kasama ‘yan.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanya ito ‘yung time na ipakita niya. Challenge sa kanya ‘yan na kung gusto niyang ipakita na pwede pa siyang gamitin, ito na ‘yung pagkakataon niya,” explained Tacloban head coach Nes Pamilar.
Pacres still has two playing years left in the UAAP with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses. The Tigresses have added several key rookies, putting Pacres in stiff competition for a spot on the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball team lineup.
She recognizes this, and knows that head coach Kungfu Reyes is still keen on seeing her improvement.
“Si coach Kungfu mino-motivate niya ako na ‘wag magsawang mag-training. Hindi niya naman kami hinahayaan.”
