Army Lady Troopers used to be a household name in Philippine volleyball.
Back when the Premier Volleyball League was still known as Shakey’s V-League, the public servants-volleyball players were dominant.
In eight conferences they played in SVL from 2011 to 2015, the Lady Troopers never missed the podium with a haul of two championships, four silvers, and two bronzes.
But that was yesterday’s story as the United Auctioneers- Army slumped to rock bottom in the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference going winless in eight tries.
During the last six conferences they’ve joined in the PVL, the Lady Troopers only barged the podium once – a third place finish in the 2019 Reinforced Conference.
The highest rank they managed the next five editions was only fifth during the 2022 Invitationals.
And this time, head coach Kungfu Reyes admitted that age is already becoming a factor as shown in their performance.
“Sa amin naman, hinahatak namin, ginagapang namin lahat ng pwede naming gawin pero talagang kapos na,” said the staff sergeant bench tactician after their straight sets defeat to Petro Gazz to end their campaign last Saturday.
“Yung ginagawa namin, ‘yung iniiscore namin dati, ‘yung mga naba-block namin, ‘yung taas ng talon namin, lahat ng ginagawa namin dati five years, 10 years ago, talagang naiiba na.”
When they first joined SVL in its eighth season – the time the league opened its doors to corporate and non-collegiate teams – there were players in their very first roster that are still playing in the current lineup.
In their latest composition of players, long-time Army veterans are Angela Nunag (30 years old), Jovelyn Gonzaga (31), Nene Bautista (37), Ging Balse-Pabayo (39), and Joanne Bunag (40).
But what keeps them going is the monumental rise of the sport of volleyball in the Philippines – something Sports Vision has been pushing for since 2004 by organizing tournaments.
“Yung mga bata na nanonood, na naiinspire nina Jov, nina Balse, sila na ‘yung kalaban namin ngayon which is masarap sa pakiramdam,” shared Reyes, who also handles University of Santo Tomas women’s volleyball team.
“Despite na nandoon kami sa losing side, nakikita mo yung mga bata yan sila Tots (Carlos), yung generation na yan sila Alyssa (Valdez) college pa lang nandito na kami. Ngayon nandito na sila sa pro sila Denden (Lazaro-Revilla), sila Jia (Morado-De Guzman) ito pa rin ‘yung mukha ng team.”
And as long as there are children inspired by the peppery spikes, monster blocks, and “buwis buhay” digs by the Lady Troopers, expect them not to stop competing.
Despite their sorry record, all is well for Army which has seen every state of the country’s volleyball scene.
“Iba na yung competition which is once upon a time naging part kami ng history na champion team,” said the reminiscing Reyes. “Lahat ng transition nakita namin so masaya kami sa nangyayari pero hindi kami tumitigil. Talagang sinusubukan namin for the love of the game. Para sa volleyball. Para sa mga bata na nanonood from other provinces.
“Malaking bagay sa amin na as long as may pumapalakpak kay Army, hindi kami magsasawa hangga’t papalarin at maiimbitahan pa rin kami at may lalapit na stakeholder na pwedeng irepresent na katuwang ng Army is willing naman kami magrepresent.”
