By: Ohmer Bautista
BanKo import Kia Bright felt like she let her team down on Wednesday when the Perlas Spikers suffered a season-opening sweep at the hands of the Petro Gazz Angels.
But aside from thinking that she had failed her duty for the team, she knew all too well that she could bring more to the table.
“Personally, I felt that I never really got in a rhythm and I know like my role coming on this team,” lamented the 23-year-old product of College of Central Florida, who is in her second tour of duty with the Perlas Spikers.
“So, if anything, I really felt like I let them down, as well as I know I can do better.”
Saturday afternoon, she did just that.
With a strong desire to bounce back, Bright found her usual form and spearheaded BanKo to their first win of the season, pouring 16 points spiked by four blocks.
For her part, after seeing that her teammates have put their best foot forward, she simply wanted to repay their efforts and match their energy.
Moreover, she went on and tipped her hat to her teammates, particularly the locals who have been providing ample support to her and her fellow import, Yasemin Yildrim, who was also struggling in their curtain-raiser.
“If anything, I just want to make sure I played harder or tried harder or tried to save those that I could for my team because they are going out there, they are doing amazing things,” Bright gushed.
“And I’m grateful because that helps us imports with the locals continuing to better themselves as well. They are able to come in and just fill those little voids,” the 5-foot-11 outside hitter continued.
“So, I think everyone is going out there giving it their best.”
As she starts to regain her dominance and her teammates hit their stride, Bright believes that they are starting look like a cohesive unit that they sought to be coming into the tourney.
“And I think that it’s a team win and a team playing now,” the top scorer in last year’s Reinforced Conference beamed, pertaining to their performance against BaliPure.
“So, I think that’s what’s really good for us, playing as a whole and not six individuals.”
