Libero Kath Arado has played in back-to-back matches before, but she has never had two matches just minutes apart.
That was the Iligan City-native’s situation earlier today when she played in the PSL Collegiate Grand Slam for the University of the East then the Chooks to Go All-Filpino Conference semis for the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers.
The UAAP Season 80 Best Digger and Best Receiver was brilliant in both matches, tallying 12 digs and 11 excellent receptions for the Lady Warriors. Then, she provided 32 digs and 16 excellent receptions for the Lifesavers.
Both matches, however, ended up as losses for Arado’s squad. She was so tired after the gauntlet of matches, that she almost begged off from interviews.
Still, if she were put in the same situation again, Arado would play for both teams. She knows her importance to both squads.
UE were facing fellow-UAAP squad UST, and needed the experience before facing them again in the UAAP. Generika, on the other hand, were playing in their first semifinal since returning to the league in 2016. As one of the first Lifesavers, she was not going to miss this opportunity.
“Nasa isip ko kasi yung sa UE din kailangan din kasi namin (manalo) kasi kailangan namin ng confidence para sa UAAP. Kasi nga siyempre UAAP team din yung (kalaban namin). Yun yung laging sinasabi ni coach Karl (Dimaculangan) sa amin na kumuha kayo ng experience din para madala niyo sa UAAP,” said the 20-year-old Arado.
“Ito namang sa Generika, first time namin mag-semis. And sa akin din, as a player, first time ko rin sa semis na dala-dala ‘yung pangalan ng Generika. ‘Yun ‘yung nagmo-motivate sa akin sa game kanina. Kaya kahit minsan nararamdaman ko lumalambot na yung katawan ko sa pagod, parang nasa isip ko din ‘yung ganoong pangyayari na first time namin kusa na din gumagalaw yung katawan ko kahit pagod.”
