Marga Altea was never supposed to be here — not as an outside hitter, not as a rookie starter, and certainly not as the heir to UST’s iconic jersey number 8.
But when injuries ravaged the Golden Tigresses’ lineup in UAAP Season 87, the former Junior Golden Tigresses captain had no time to hesitate.
Thrust into an unfamiliar role, Altea had to learn, adapt, and deliver — fast.
“Siyempre, mahirap po talaga ‘yon kasi since middle [blocker] ako before, hindi naman siya masyadong defensive-oriented na parang… Receive palagi or defense talaga, kaya grabe yung kayod sa training at grind,” the 6-foot converted outside hitter told reporters.
“Kahit nahihirapan na ako, parang trabaho pa rin talaga kasi wala madadatnan kapag hindi nagtrabaho,” she admitted.
“Nung una mahirap kasi mas maraming responsibility, pero yung una ko ginawa is kailangan ko tanggapin na ililipat ako sa ganon na position.”
Thanks to the trust of head coach Kungfu Reyes and her teammates, Altea is slowly but surely overcoming her early jitters and embracing her full transition from a decorated high school middle blocker to an emerging collegiate outside hitter.
That trust bore fruit on Thursday night.
Altea played a crucial role in UST’s four-set triumph over the University of the Philippines, securing the team’s fourth consecutive victory in the first round of Season 87.
Her timely contributions — nine points on four attacks, three aces, and two blocks, along with three excellent digs — helped the Golden Tigresses solidify their hold on solo second place with a 4-1 record.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Grabe yung doubt ko sa sarili ko kasi siyempre, mahirap talaga na kapag galing middle to open, ang hirap talaga, kaya nagdudoubt ako sa sarili ko,” said Altea, a former UAAP Girls’ Volleyball Season 85 Second Best Middle Blocker.
“Pero nakikita at nafi-feel ko na grabe yung tiwala nila sa akin, lalo si coach Kungfu — na hindi ko na alam kung ano yung nakikita, pero mas nakaka-inspire na mas galingan yung performance ko dahil sa tiwala nila.”
Beyond filling the void left by Gula and Perdido, Altea has also inherited the prestigious jersey number 8 — worn by UST greats Eya Laure and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.
With heavy expectations on her shoulders, Laure herself shared a piece of advice during UST’s training camp in Japan last January, words that the 19-year-old outside hitter has taken to heart.
“Nung nag-Japan kami, yung timing ko raw tsaka yung sa depensa ko, tinuturuan niya ako sa ganoong advice. Alam ko na malaki yung pressure doon pero at the same time, malaki yung tiwala rin nila sa akin,” Altea shared.
While she has notched her best collegiate performance so far, Altea remains focused on the bigger picture — UST’s bid to end a 15-year title drought.
“Same sa sinabi ni Ate Reg (Jurado) na trabaho lang din tsaka hindi ko masyado tinitignan ‘yon. Gusto ko lang talaga na maayos yung performance ko para makatulong sa team. Since yung mga last games ko, off talaga, gusto ko lang ilabas kung ano yung ginagawa sa training dito sa court sa UAAP.”
#WATCH: UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez wasn’t pleased with the Tigresses’ errors in the third set vs. UP. Good thing Regina Jueado stayed steady, and Marga Altea stepped up
@ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/kRxppLHjoD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 5, 2025
