Playing against much more experienced foes in the most historic venue in the Philippines, 18-year-old Nicole Magsarile eagerly made her mark.
The incoming University of the Philippines freshman dished out 11 points in her first outing with the Lady Maroons. Though her efforts went for naught, Magsarile gave UP fans a taste of her clutch scoring prowess.
The Nazareth School of National University product keyed UP’s rally in the third set, scoring the Lady Maroons’ last three points to extend the match.
With UP missing ace spiker Tots Carlos due to a shin injury, Magsarile’s offense will be much needed in the Lady Maroons’ campaign in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup.
“I felt really nervous. Rookie ako eh,” said Magsarile when asked about her first game.
“First time ko sa ganitong environment. Gusto ko lang naman ibigay ‘yung best ko and kung anuman ‘yung kailangan ng team, mabigay ko.”
Magsarile is just one of UP’s many recruits set to make an immediate impact for the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. With just 14 slots on a team, Magsarile relishes the challenge of proving herself this off-season.
“Personally, I just wanna play against and win against the best,” she expressed.
“Ako mismo, china-challenge ko ‘yung sarili ko na maipakita sa ates ko na kaya ko din makipagsabayan sa kanila.”
