It did not take long for Jeanette Panaga to sign with a team.
The Second Best Middle Blocker of the 2019 PVL Open Conference has agreed to sign with reigning champion Creamline.
“This year, I will be joining Creamline,” said Panaga, whose previous team Petro Gazz was swept by Creamline in the said Finals.
“I feel so honored na isa ako sa na-consider nila na maglaro for them. I’m sure marami akong maututunan sa team, and siyempre hoping din ako na makatulong sa kanila.”
The product of College of Saint Benilde had a hard time parting ways with Petro Gazz as one of her closest friends since college Rica Enclona is there.
But according to her, it was a career move to transfer to Creamline.
“Petro Gazz reached out to me for renewal. As much as I wanted to renew with them, kinailangan ko din po talaga pag-isipan nang mabuti because 2020 has been very challenging for many of us,” bared Panaga.
“I really needed to consider many factors. Hindi lang sarili ko, but pati family ko and growth ng career ko. Mahirap yung decision kasi nakita naman ng mga tao kung gaano ka-close yung team ng Petro Gazz, yung iba dun sa previous teams kasama ko na sila. But if there’s one thing I learned this 2020, kailangan talaga maging smart sa decisions kasi sa isang iglap, ang daming puwede mawala.”
Panaga is a four-time Best Middle Blocker in the PVL, winning it twice with Pocari Sweat from 2017-18.
The native of Limay, Bataan was part of the Saint Benilde team that won gold in the NCAA Season 91 tournament.
She will join Risa Sato, Pau Soriano, and Celine Domingo to form the Cool Smashers’ frontline.
And Panaga can’t wait to turn pro once the PVL opens its first season on April 10.
“Super inspired ako lalo na mas nadagdagan yung motivation ko for this year. Kaya sana this year, makabalik na ang volleyball. This 2021, pag-resume ng volleyball, sigurado ako maraming changes pero I’m excited to work with my new team in overcoming the challenges sa sports under the new normal.”
