Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

Gabi another testament to Pinoys’ love for Brazilian volleyball


Filipino volleyball fans have a long-standing affinity for Brazilian volleyball players.

The love first sprouted when volleyball legend Leila Barros visited the country in the early 2000’s to play in prestigious tournaments.

The country then latched onto setter Erica Adachi who, after her first run as a PSL import in 2014, decided she had to come back and play a second conference with the Petron Blaze Spikers. In the 2015 Grand Prix, Adachi brought along fellow Brazilan Rupia Inck who also endeared herself to the locals.BVR-Invitational-Day-3-Sand-roots-Adachi-8369 Gabi another testament to Pinoys' love for Brazilian volleyball 2016 FIVB Women's CWC News Volleyball  - philippine sports news

So when Brazilian club team Rexona-Sesc traveled to the Philippines to play in the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship, it was no surprise that the fans found another crowd-favorite.

Rexona fielded a lineup of some of the youngest Brazilian National Team players and aspirants. Among them, 22-year-old open hitter Gabi Guimaraes shone the most, leading her squad in scoring through most of Rexona’s fifth-place campaign.FIVB-CWC-Rexona-Sesc-Rio-vs.-Hisamitsu-Springs-Gabriela-Braga-Guimaraes-2892 Gabi another testament to Pinoys' love for Brazilian volleyball 2016 FIVB Women's CWC News Volleyball  - philippine sports news

While her stay was short, Gabi easily endeared herself to the local, volleyball-crazy fans with her incredible skill and charm.

“It’s crazy. The Philippine people remind a lot of the people back in my country – very friendly, always smiling, and there seems to be a lot of volleyball fans. I’m very thankful to the fans here for making us feel welcome,” said the Minas Gerais native.

Like many other foreigners before her, Gabi insists that she will one day come back to experience more of the Philippines.

“I would love to come back. It’s a really nice place although I won’t be here for too long. I heard that there’s really nice shopping here and the beaches around the country are fanulous. If there’s an opportunity, I’m definitely open to playing here.”

Gabi is one of the main cogs of Brazil’s effort to rebuild its aging National Team. After winning gold in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, the celebrated pillars of Brazil’s squad showed their age in the 2016 Rio Olympics, bowing out to eventual gold medalists China in the quarterfinals.

#ReadMore  PSL-F2 Logistics shines but burns out to Rexona-Sesc

At 1.76 m, Gabi is short compared to the behemoths that rule women’s volleyball today, so she knows developing technique is crucial if she wants to help Brazil to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“There are a lot of really tall players out there now so I know I will have to get with my technique and keep working hard in practice. The goal is definitely to make it back to the Olympic games.”

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.


You May Also Like

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

A week ago, the PSL-F2 Logistics Manila squad embarked on a historic campaign in the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championships — the first...

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

After Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul defended their FIVB World Grand Prix title against Pomi Casalmaggiore, the tournament held an awarding ceremony to give due recognition...

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

The reformed Rexona-Sesc Rio started their club season with a rousing fifth place finish in the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Champioships, upending Japanese club...

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

Brazilian club team Rexona-Sesc Rio made short work of Thailand’s Bangkok Glass 25-19, 25-15, 25-20 to gain a shot at fifth place in the...

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

Defending champions Eczasibasi Vitra had to sweat out a five-setter against Rexona-Sesc Rio, 25-27, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11 to clinch a semifinals spot in...

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

European champions Pomi Casalmaggiore needed to go on the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championships first five-set match to vanquish Brazil’s Rexona-Sesc Rio 17-25,...

2016 FIVB Women's CWC

For a bunch of first-timers on the world stage, the F2 Logistics-PSL Manila locals were not fazed. Facing a squad with Olympic gold medalists...

Advertisement