By: Christian David Ruiz
It comes as no surprise that decorated coach Ramil de Jesus has developed some of the brightest spikers to have graced both the Philippines’ local and international scenes.
To name a few, he mentored the likes of Kianna Dy, Ara Galang, and the top four picks of the first-ever PVL Draft in Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, Julia Coronel, and Maicah Larroza – with the first two getting called up for national team duty.
This time around, former La Salle team captain and UAAP Season 85 Finals MVP Mars Alba also joined her juniors, along with the likes of Fifi Sharma and Dawn Catindig.
She made her debut for Alas Pilipinas women in their Invitationals opening loss to Saga Hisamitsu.
The renowned setter credited De Jesus’ guidance and his gamble to turn Alba from a spiker/libero to a great playmaker.
“Sobrang grateful kami kay Coach Ramil. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, hindi kami makakarating kung nasan kami ngayon,” said Alba.
“And yun, yung pangatlo, finally available and pinayagan na rin ako. So, yun.”
Alba mentioned that she declined the first invitation to spend time with her brother, who had just come home from Australia. Then the following invitation collided with her commitment with Choco Mucho in the PVL reinforced conference.
The Flying Titans playmaker filled in the void left by team captain Jia Morado, who left for Japan to play with the Denso Airybees.
“Actually, hindi ko ini-expect na makakakuha ako ng invitation from the national team. Kasi given na converted lang din talaga ako na setter, so hindi ko ini-expect an makakarating ako sa gantong point,” the 5-foot-7 playmaker mentioned.
Her entry into the national team marked her reunion with former Lady Spikers in Julia Coronel, Fifi Sharma, and Thea Gagate. However, despite the known chemistry, she still acknowledges that she still needs to blend with fellow Alas members.
For newly appointed captain Dawn Catigdig shared that she is confident that with her former F2 teammate’s stable setting, she could quickly adjust to the team.
Cantindig did not only guide the 26-year-old setter in the national team debut but also her teammates as the new team captain in De Guzman’s absence.
“Naging teammate ko si Mars sa F2. So, alam ko na, ano siya, very stable na setter. So, hindi naman siya nahirapan na mag-adjust when she came in last week,” she said.
Alba and the Philippines will face the Springs again tomorrow at the same time and venue to close the two-day Invitationals tilt.
