The Philippine Women’s National Team will undoubtedly get a boost from the inclusion of towering Fil-Americans Kalei Mau and Alohi Robins-Hardy to the 22-woman pool for the Southeast Asian Games.
Both players proudly hail from Hawaii and have known each other since high school.
Mau, United VC’s energetic open hitter, had long decided that she wanted to represent the Philippines after playing here in 2018.
“It feels great. I feel partially accomplished.
“I have set some goals for myself in the long and short term that I am able to pursue now. Being part of the National Team was a part of that. I’m grateful to have this in my life,” said Mau.
Mau was also mostly responsible for persuading Robins-Hardy, a six-foot-three setter, to also join the National Team. She recalls wanting Robins-Hardy to experience the same feeling she had had here in the Philippines.
“Whatever the plan was for me and my life to come here. I’m really grateful for that opportunity. It’s something that I didn’t know what was going down over here and I could possibly be a part of this. When I got here and I saw how loving the people are and how much support we get, I felt that volleyball can be more than just a sport for us,” said Mau.
“I actually reached out to Alohi. Since I feel this way, I would love for someone to feel this way, too. She was on my mind for a long time. She was playing her first pro season in Serbia. I would tell and share with her some of my experiences here and how great it’s been and how much I love it here, how much I love the sport, even more, being here. She was about it. She wanted to see it for herself. I’m really happy that she decided to come, that’s she’s on my team now, and that we can grow together,” United VC’s ace spiker added.
“We’re the two Hawaiians on the team – we’re Filipino-Hawaiians. We’re gonna have a strong bond for the rest of our lives because of this.”
Robins-Hardy was also persuaded to connect with her Filipino roots, having seen her cousin Gabe Norwood play for the Men’s National Basketball Team.
“I think Kalei always had a part of it. I think seeing my cousin Gabe be part of the National Team for basketball I think really helps,” said Robins-Hardy.
“I wasn’t too familiar with the culture. I know my dad used to make some dishes like pork adobo. Being here is a culture shock, but a good one, because it is nice to see how caring and how loving everybody is here.”
For Mau, feeling at home in the Philippines was easy as the country had a lot of similarities with Hawaii.
“Alohi and I, we’re part of everything.
“We both feel the same. We’re grateful that we get to share these cultures. One thing that’s very similar that makes me feel at home here in the Philippines is love. In Hawaii, we call that the Aloha Spirit and it’s strong over here. You can feel that,” said Mau.
Whether they can make a medal run in the SEA Games, Mau is hopeful.
“I don’t think anything’s impossible. Even though we haven’t had training yet, so I can’t really say what you guys can expect. I’m really confident that these girls are great athletes. They have great chemistry. I don’t doubt that we’re gonna be good this year.”
