PASSI, ILOILO — In her return to the place that molded her to be the woman she is now, Jovelyn Gonzaga looked back on the contributions she had to Iloilo sports and volleyball in general.
“Bionic Ilongga” as she is well known in the world of volleyball, Gonzaga returned to Iloilo at the last day of the PVL All-Filipino Conference preliminaries with ZUS Coffee facing PLDT at the City of Passi Arena here on Saturday.
The Thunderbelles fell to the High Speed Hitters in straight sets, 20-25, 16-25, 15-25, with Gonzaga limited to just two points.
Still, she was one of the most beloved by the sellout crowd in Passi.
(C) PVL Images
“Thankful ako na nabilang ako sa mga Ilonggos na nagdadala ng pride sa lugar namin. And thankful din ako na naabutan ko pa ang new generation. Nasa point na rin ako ng career na malapit-lapit na ring um-exit sa career ko,” shared the 33-year-old Gonzaga postgame.
“Pero as much as possible, ‘yung mga natitirang years ko, gusto ko namang makatulong, makaambag, kung ano man ‘yung ma-impart ko sa mga bata lalo na sa team ko ngayon. ZUS, sobrang tinitiyaga ko, tinitiyaga ng team kung ano pang mas maambag ko, and kung anong mas makuha ko pa sa kanila and makuha nila sa ‘kin na learnings,” added the indoor and beach volley veteran.
Gonzaga, after taking time off from volleyball as she had duties to perform with the Philippine Army, signed with ZUS Coffee before the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
Admittedly pondering on retirement for some time now, the 5-foot-8 opposite spiker gave herself a year or two before hanging up her sneakers.
But of course, it still all depends on her health and her eagerness to still play competitively.
“In time, soon. In time, soon. Nakikita ko na sarili ko by next year or next two years, kasi doon na ako sa point na ‘yon eh,” said Gonzaga.
“Kasi nararamdaman ko na rin coming from an injury, since 10 years old naglalaro na ako. So wear and tear na talaga ‘yung nararamdaman ng katawan ko. More on passion na lang talaga nagdadala sa ‘kin, ‘yung parang ‘di ko pa kayang bitawan. Pero ‘yon, we’ll see, we’ll see. Ayoko naman magsalita nang tapos,” she continued.
Gonzaga was a bronze medalist in beach volleyball during the 2021 Southeast Asian Games. She also captained the 2015 SEA Games indoor women’s volleyball team of the Philippines.
The Central Philippine University product played for Cignal, Army, and now ZUS professionally.
