The wait was an excruciatingly long, but Michelle Morente finally got her chance to return to the UAAP.
After academic issues caused her to drop out of the Ateneo de Manila University following Season 79, Morente found herself at a crossroads that included an option to quit volleyball all together.
Still, Morente found her way to De La Salle University. After two years of plowing through La Salle’s AB Psychology program, the former Lady Eagle finally earned her eligibility to play in the UAAP.
Morente was quick to make an impact for La Salle, teaming up with Tin Tiamzon in the UAAP Season 81 Beach Volleyball tournament and getting their first win over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
“Sobrang hindi ako makapaniwala kasi alam mo ‘yung I almost gave up on myself, but then a lot of people na nasa likod ko sobrang sumu-support sa akin na, ‘Mich kaya mo ‘yan andito lang kami para sayo’,” Morente expressed.
“Alam mo ‘yun they were really helping me be back on my feet talaga.”
Even after three seasons of intense rivalry with La Salle, Morente is just happy she still got her redemption and the Lady Spikers have accepted her with open arms.
“I think it’s the sport eh, the passion for the sport. Parang ako, sige I’m doing this for the sport, you know, dahil La Salle na ako of course I’m gonna Animo La Salle.”
But whether she’ll make the lineup for indoor beach volleyball is still up to head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“Well, they said naman I’m cleared na for UAAP so hopefully sa indoor din cleared na rin ako.
“Up to the coaches, siyempre sabi nila pagpatuloy ko lang ‘yung grades ko and stuff like that ayun,” said the proud Dean’s Lister.
