A soldier on and off the court, Jovelyn Gonzaga has always stood ready whenever the country calls.
With several national team mainstays declining invitations, the 34-year-old Gonzaga answered Alas Pilipinas’ call to join the training pool for the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.
“Ang hirap kasi tanggihan ang Pilipinas,” said Gonzaga, who last suited up for the indoor squad back in 2019 before shifting her focus to beach volleyball in the post-pandemic years.
The ZUS Coffee veteran said she never imagined returning to the indoor national team after stepping away in 2021, but could not turn down the opportunity—especially at a time when the program needed reinforcements.
“Actually, ako, balik ko lang, ‘di ba 2021 nag-beg off na ako sa indoor volleyball. So parang focus na sa beach volleyball. So never na talaga in my wildest imagination na makakabalik ako sa indoor,” said Gonzaga.
“But then again, tulad ng sinabi ni Alyssa (Valdez), once the country calls for your service, andito kami. We’re always here to play with honor. Alam mo ‘yun?” she added.
“Naka-ano na sa dugo namin to serve talaga.”
With her experience playing both locally and internationally, Gonzaga vowed to share her knowledge with the younger players and help guide them as Alas races against time to reach peak form ahead of the continental meet.
For Gonzaga, it all circles back to the same mindset that has defined her career—always ready to serve whenever the country calls, regardless of role or circumstance.
“Siguro ‘yung experience namin nung 2019… a lot of learnings actually na mai-impart namin sa mga bata na hopefully mag-merge ang mga kabataan at mga ate. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung pinakagoal namin,” she said.
“Ano naman kami, our ability is our availability. Kung paano kami makaka-contribute sa Philippine national team. Hopefully, magbunga siya. Naniniwala.”
Alas Pilipinas has already begun preparations and is set to travel to Candon on May 29 to resume training ahead of the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, which opens on June 6, as the team continues to fine-tune its buildup for the continental tilt.
