Pauline Gaston finally made her much-awaited Chery Tiggo debut, helping the Crossovers take a four-set victory over Army-Black Mamba in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday night.
Gaston, who was not fielded during their opening game win against Cignal, made her minutes count and delivered eight points and seven excellent receptions in the Crossovers’ 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 25-12 victory over the Lady Troopers at the Philsports Arena.
“I’m happy that our first game was a win. I’m just glad that lahat po kami na pinasok ay nakapag-laro at nakapag-deliver nang maayos,” said the 25-year-old spiker, who is now sporting jersey no. 22 as a tribute to dad Fritz.
The Ateneo product also shrugged off her benching in the team’s debut, saying that she trusts the process and the coaching staff’s decision as well. Gaston also said that watching on the sidelines in their previous game even helped her in her debut on Saturday.
“Yeah, definitely. I super trust the process and I trust in the Lord yun nga laging sinasabi ni coach. Alam kong may plano sila kahit hindi ako ginamit nung first game baka hindi yun yung tamang time na ipasok ako,” said Gaston, who transferred from Choco Mucho to Chery Tiggo during the off-season.
“At maganda yung pinakita ng teammates ko nung first game so alam ko na I’ll have my chance and I’m happy na talagang binigyan nila ako ng chance kasi kahit sa training, even before the games lagi nilang sinasabi na always be ready kasi hindi natin masasabi kung anong mangyayari sa game.”
Gaston vowed to always be ready when her number is called upon and provide energy from the bench.
“May pwedeng mangyaring injuries or whatever so kaming galing sa bench, ready talaga kasi yung team namin I feel is really a collaborative effort and hindi talaga siya parang isa lang yung umaangat,” said the 5-foot-10 spiker.
“That win in the first game I felt like I was part of that kahit wala ako sa loob.”
