The storied rivalry of Ateneo and La Salle in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament spilled two conflicting colors over Maddie Madayag and Majoy Baron.
Madayag was dyed blue while Baron was bathed in green — a color distinction that meant that the two top-tier middle blockers would go at each other’s throat in each of their rival matches back in the collegiate scene.
Years removed from their colossal clashes, both Madayag and Baron have shed those colors for one primary goal: to carry the flag and country.
As part of the Philippine National Women’s Volleyball Team’s buildup to the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the two towering Filipinas linked up and anchored above the net in the first leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix.
Given their display of brilliance for the Nationals, the country’s volleyball enthusiasts have forged a moniker for the lanky duo.
“BaYag,” Madayag said with a chuckle, admitting that she has caught wind of the explicit alias for her tandem with Baron. “Pinag-usapan nga namin ni Majoy ‘yun kasi may nag-issue ‘yung mga fans na BaYag daw since UAAP pa. Sabi ko, ‘Majoy, alam mo ba na tawag sa atin BaYag?’
“Masaya naman lahat dun, walang issue. ‘Yun nga, tawang-tawa kami. Wala lang inaasar na lang namin every day.”
Turning serious, Madayag expressed her gratitude for the trust that she has received from National team head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
While it was her first call of duty for the seniors’ team of the Philippines, the Petron mentor gave the Choco Mucho stalwart a fair share of playing time against the best of Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
“I was very lucky na ipinasok ako ni coach Shaq kasi nga bago pa rin ako sa sistema niya,” she beamed.
“I’m just happy na nakapag-adjust naman ako ng maayos sa system niya.”
Madayag is also grateful that she was able to suit up alongside the country’s finest volleyball athletes and learn from each one of them.
“Mga mature talaga silang mag-isip. Pati mga teammates ko rin you can see na sini-set aside nila yung previous systems nila kasi iba-iba sila,” the 21-year-old bared.
At the end of the day, Madayag is elated that her recent international breakthrough has opened new horizons for her promising career.
It’s also safe to say that the first leg won’t be the last time the Baron-Madayag connection sets the court ablaze. The duo is expected to represent the country anew in the second leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix from October 4 to 6 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“The experience was something else talaga kasi different eh. Internationally, malakas talaga ang mga players,” Madayag said.
“Makikita mo na meron pang mas kaya, na pwede ko pala itong gawin.”
