Few athletes can boast a career as celebrated as Denden Lazaro’s. Her collegiate career is enough to mint a legacy that will last.
She was the defensive anchor of the Ateneo Lady Eagles that went on a magical run in UAAP Season 76, bringing home the school’s first volleyball championship. The following year, Lazaro and the Lady Eagles were just as indomitable, sweeping all of their 16 matches en route to back-to-back titles.
Along the way, the 24-year old libero built a reputation as one of the most the dominant and durable players of her time. She famously played with a bum ankle through their run in Season 76, then had multiple problems with her hand and lingering injuries in Season 77.
But nothing ever stopped Lazaro. Until volleyball took the backseat to her other aspirations.
After the UAAP and a few runs with the PLDT Ultra Fast Hitters, Lazaro hung up her sneakers and focused on getting a medical degree.
Only recently did Lazaro return to the Taraflex, reuniting with fellow Ateneo alumni for the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference.
Lazaro started the season on the bench, sharing minutes with Alyssa Eroa. She also shifted into unfamiliar, quirky roles, like being a service specialist and even rotating to the front row to attempt to block.
Admittedly, Lazaro could not get back to her omnipresent defensive form even when she received more minutes.
“Nakakapanibago pa rin. I think hindi pa ako sobrang conditioned. Kita naman sa laro ko. I think matagal pa bago ko maibalik ‘yung form ko from college,” the decorated defender said.
“Noong una siyempre frustrating, but then it comes din with understanding na isang taon din ako nawala. It took its toll on me na ilang years din ako naglaro ng walang tigil.”
With so much going on in her life, Lazaro expressed the need to accept that she might not ever get back to peak form.
“Of course motivated pa rin ako maibalik ‘yung dati,” she said.
“Yet there are other things going on na. After college, mahirap na talaga to cope especially with work, school, and other things.”
Bali Pure failed to make it to the Finals after bowing to a determined Pocari Sweat side in a grueling three-game series. Still, Lazaro relishes being able to play with her friends.
“At first hindi naman talaga namin in-expect to win a lot especially when we’re going against teams na matagal nang nagte-training and we were only formed in the last minute.”
“I’m really proud of where we got and I’m just blessed that I got the opportunity to play in a club league with these girls,” she proudly expressed.
After this conference, Lazaro admitted that she wants to continue playing in the SVL. Although a return to Ateneo as a guest player is highly unlikely.
“I think they don’t need me na there (Ateneo). But for sure in other leagues I would want to play pa,” she closed.
