Things are looking up for Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles’ Michelle Morente after helping the team capture the second of their back-to-back titles two years ago.
However, Ateneo being Ateneo, the wing spiker has needed to reach the minimum QPI in order to continue playing as well. Unfortunately, she came up short.
“In Ateneo, anyone needs to maintain a QPI, yung average ng grades mo. I need to get a 1.9. Eh yung nakuha kong QPI 1.87,” she shared
“Sayang, I was really close to play again.”
What followed was a hard time for the outside hitter, as she had to spend a year away from the sport she loves.
“It was hard na mapalayo ako sa volleyball. Mapapalayo ako sa team, which is parang family ko na,” the 21 year old recalled.
With time on her hands, she devoted it to her studies as she vowed to return to the court. “Pinush ko talagang makabalik sa team, makabond ulit sila,” Ateneo’s outside spiker said.
Morente was able to get the required grade and, consequently, got to return in the lineup. Moreover, she was named as team captain. At first, she did not know what to react to it.
“Nung pagbalik ni coach Tai [Bundit from Thailand], sabi niya, ‘You’re captain,” she narrated.
“Hindi ko in-expect. Kababalik ko lang. I don’t know what happened to the team. I was out of shape.”
Fortunately, her batchmates were there to lend a helping hand. “They were there to help me. They were there to guide me.”
Overall, Mich was just so happy to come back. “Pinupush ko talaga yung sarili ko na, ‘Mich, wag ka ng maging tamad.’ Kasi mahirap, buhay ko na yung volleyball,” she reflected.
She is likewise grateful for the trust of her coaches, particularly Bundit himself.
“Masarap sa feeling ba, kahit nawala ako ng isang taon, nasa kin pa rin trust niya na i-lead yung team. Hindi siya nagda-doubt sa kin,” the Lady Eagles said.
The Ateneo team captain therefore puts her heart into the game as a means of repayment.
“Ito na siguro yung give back ko sa kanya. Kung wala siya, wala ako sa pwesto ko ngayon.”
