Roselyn Doria checked the dream of being a part of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team off her bucket list, Thursday afternoon.
“Sobrang thankful ako kasi dream ko po ‘to. Ayun, natupad nga po by the help of God.”
Doria, who plays for Cignal in the PSL, attended her first practice as part of the national pool. She admitted that it was a nerve-wracking experience at first, but she was able to ease into training with the help of the HD Spikers in attendance.
“Sa una, kinakabahan. Pero same lang din naman po kami, lahat player,” confided Doria, who enjoyed the presence of her Cignal teammates Mylene Paat, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Alohi Robins-Hardy.
“Sobrang nakakatulong na nakakasama ko sila My Paat, kaya hindi naman ako nahirapan mag-join dito sa team.”
The Larong Volleyball Sa Pilipinas Inc. tapped former National University standout — along with Gonzaga and Maddie Madayag —to bolster the indoor squad in the wake of the withdrawal of five players.
And Doria’s call-up for national duty came right after Cignal slew Petron in the semifinals of the 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference to punch their ticket to the Finals.
“Sinabi po sa akin ni coach Edgar [Barroga] before mag-start ang championship po namin para makatulong sa morale ko at magalingan ko pa ‘yung performance ko,” Doria shared.
“Sobrang saya. Napaiyak ako noong pagkalaman ko po na kasama ako sa pool.”
The UAAP Season 81 1st Best Middle Blocker is set to don the tri-colors of the country in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand for the Southeast Asian Grand Prix. The tournament will last from September 20 to 22.
As part of the 16-woman team, Doria is tasked to fortify the wall of the Nationals along with fellow middle blockers Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron and Madayag.
Moreover, while she acknowledges the pressure of not having the presence of Jaja Santiago, Doria is determined to help the team in anyway possible.
“Sobra po. Sobrang laki [ng pressure]. Igi-give ko lang po ‘yung best ko. Gagawin ko lahat para makatulong sa team,” she confessed.
“Sobrang laking motivation sa akin para kung paano makatulong sa team,” she continued.
“Basta ayun, ilabas ko lang yung laro at ‘wag ako mag iisip-isip ng kung anu-ano.”
