At just 19 years old, Joshua Retamar will be making his debut on the international stage.
Retamar — who replaced Kim Dayandante in the 20-man pool — was included in the 14-man line-up of the Philippine Men’s Volleyball team for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
“Sobrang saya po kasi po nabigyan po ako ng chance kahit po bata pa po ako, so alam ko po na may maitutulong po ako sa team,” said the playmaker of National University.
Being the youngest in the pack will not be a problem for the young setter, as he vows to prove to everyone that he can keep up with the country’s elite volleyball talents despite the huge disparity in age.
“Gusto ko lang patunayan na kahit bata pa ako, kaya ko.
“Alam ko na kahit ‘yung mga kasabayan ko doon is mga seniors na pagdating sa National team[, kaya ko],” said the two-time Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player.
And he proved just that.
With the Nationals still working on their cohesion, Rebisco-Philippines head coach Dante Alinsunurin gave his first order of business to the young gun. A simple, yet crucial task — to help him build the squad’s chemistry in time for the regional biennial meet in November.
“Ngayon po kasi sa training namin sa National team, hindi pa kami masyadong buo eh. So as a bata po, sinabihan ako ni coach Dante na sa akin po magsimula para mag-jell kasi nga setter nga ako,” said the 6-foot setter.
“So hanggang sa training, nag-iingay lang kami nang nag-iingay. Ako po ‘yung nagsisimula, pati po si coach Jessie [Lopez].”
Given that he’s part of arguably the most complete line-up ever assembled for the said tournament, the product of Perpetual Help Biñan knows the repercussions if the team fails to live up to the expectations.
And so he made it a mission to do everything in his capabilities to help boost the country’s bid for the gold medal.
“For the team, gusto po talaga naming mag-champion kasi feeling ko po talaga kaya, kasi nandiyan po si kuya Bry [Bagunas], si kuya Marck [Espejo], kaya alam ko po na kayang-kaya.”
