Gyra Barroga was a highly-touted recruit coming out of the University of Santo Tomas High School.
The 5-foot-8 winger, however, did not see much playing time in her two UAAP seasons with the De La Salle University Lady Spikers. While the Taft-based volleyball powerhouse won UAAP titles, Barroga languished on the bench.
Now with the Cocolife Asset Managers, Barroga and her family are looking to revitalize her volleyball career.
Gyra revealed that it was her family that had initially brought up the idea of taking her out of the Lady Spikers program and lining her up with the Asset Managers.
“It was a decision made by my family, not by me, actually. My dad brought it up na there are a lot of teams nga daw that are interested. I was shocked,” the 19-year-old recalled.
“Siyempre, it was the hardest decision that I had to make to follow my family, ganoon. La Salle is really like my second home; it’s my home,” she furthered.
“I cried about it. I prayed about it. I asked the Lord to give me a sign. Nabigyan naman ng sign.”
Barroga immediately made a splash with Cocolife.
After barely seeing the floor with La Salle, Barroga started and led the Asset Managers to a win over Cherrylume-UE in their first match of the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup.
“At first, I was pretty nervous when I woke up. I talked to my dad and he said just to not be too nervous or excited,” Barroga shared when asked about her big moment. Her dad, Edgar, coaches Cignal HD in the PSL and the National University Boys volleyball team.
“Just take it one point, one skill at a time. Don’t pressure yourself and enjoy. Play your best game and offer everything to God. When he told me that, nawala ‘yung pressure sa akin and I focused lang on enjoying.”
In the PSL, Barroga hopes she can prove herself and display the improvements she has made to her game.
“I’m hoping to prove na I can perform. Na I can show my skills that I improved from the very start. That’s all,” she shared.
“I just wanna enjoy the game. I don’t wanna pressure myself.”
Asked whether she’ll return to collegiate volleyball, Barroga is still uncertain.
“Ayoko magsalita nang tapos. There’s a chance pa naman.”
