Michele Gumabao stepped up as team captain in Alyssa Valdez’s absence and played a vital role in Creamline’s championship run in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Gumabao, who won the Best Opposite Spiker award after a stellar performance in the tournament, hammered down 18 points in the Cool Smashers’ 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 Game Three win over Petro Gazz for their second consecutive All-Filipino crown last Thursday.
“Ang dami talagang mga lumalabas, lalo na ngayong finals, sobrang challenged talaga kami. Alam talaga ni Coach Sherwin (Meneses) ‘yan, na ang daming lumabas sa game na hindi namin ine-ensayo,” said Gumabao.
“Pero nandoon pa rin talaga ‘yung tatag ng puso ng bawat isa, and ‘yung teamwork. So sabi lang talaga ni coach na, kailangan namin magtulungan, and we have to work as a team, we have to work as one. So at least, umabot kami ng third game, and napanalo namin ‘yung third game.”
The 30-year-old La Salle product did not only step up in the finals but also in the entire elimination round. Gumabao rose as the top spiker after the eliminations, proving that she still has what it takes after spending the past year on Creamline’s bench.
Aside from that, Gumabao also earned a spot in the Philippine women’s national volleyball team pool along with Cool Smashers teammates Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Kyla Atienza, Ced Domingo, and Valdez.
“Yun naman ‘yung pinaka importante. No matter ano ‘yung mistakes or ‘yung lapses ng bawat isa, kailangan nagko-cover kami for our teammates and kailangan nagre-recover lang din kami talaga every set,” said Gumabao.
“Wala kaming naipanalong first set these Finals, but at least napanalo ‘yung game. So thankful pa rin kami, no matter what.”
The 5-foot-9 opposite spiker said that Valdez has been a big inspiration not just for her but for the entire team as well in the All-Filipino Conference, which is why they are dedicating this campaign to their injured skipper.
“Siyempre kasama siya lagi sa motivation ng bawat isa, because andoon siya every day sa practice, kahit hindi siya nakakalaro. She’s always there to support. ‘Pagkakailangan din namin ng wake-up call, andoon din siya,” Gumabao shared.
“So malaking part na ma-dedicate namin ‘to for Alyssa, para hindi siya masyadong ano, um, marami ding iniisip. Because she has to focus on her recovery, and she has to focus also on getting back to her 100-percent. So marami, maraming dine-dedicate namin ‘to to a lot of people, pero malaking inspiration talaga namin si Ate Ly.”
