As if she needed it, Kath Arado proved her brilliance once again on Saturday.
The tremendous libero played for the University of the East Lady Warriors in the Philippine Superliga Grand Slam, then for the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers in the 2018 Chooks to Go All-Filipino Conference in the evening.
Arado tallied 56 digs and went 45-for-61 in reception in both matches combined. Despite her incredible efficiency, both of Arado’s squads lost.
“Ang hirap, nakakapagod talaga. Hindi ko ramdam ‘yung pagod sa court, nararamdaman ko after na ng game. Siyempre, talo din kasi eh. Siguro, nakaka-motivate na rin lang kasi kailangan pa mag-push,” thought the soft-spoken defensive ace.
“Nakikita ko ‘yung mga kailangan pang i-improve at kailangan i-maintain. Nakakapagod, pero, wala eh, pinasukan ko ‘to.”
Physical exhaustion is not an issue for Arado. However, she has had to learn to deal with the mental toll of playing for two squads.
“Wala naman kasing special treatment porque ganito ‘yung sitwasyon ko. Siyempre, pare-pareho kaming naghihirap ng mga teammates ko. Kung paano pakitunguan ‘yung ibang tao, ganoon din sila sa akin,” shared the 20-year-old.
“Kailangan ko lang din talaga i-balance. Sinasabi ni coach Karl (Dimaculangan, UE head coach) sa akin na kailangan kong i-kundisyon ‘yung utak ko kasi kapag bumigay ‘yung utak, bibigay ‘yung katawan. Hindi pa naman bumibigay ‘yung utak ko so kaya pa.”
Being stretched so thin is why Arado declined to join the National Team this year, despite the social media outcry for her inclusion.
“‘Yung last time talaga, hindi ko sila mapagbigyan kasi sobrang dami kong ginagawa. Ngayon, pwede kung tatanggapin nila ako. Gusto ko takaga maka-graduate muna,” the Busines Management major expressed.
“Gahol na gahol na ako sa oras ngayon, paano na lang kaya kung nasa National Team? Hindi ko mapa-prioritize ‘yung bansa natin. Kung sasali ako, kailangan committed ako.”
