When the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team stepped onto the PhilSports Arena court for the third time for this year’s 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women, there was an air of confidence coming from the Filipinas after the gallant stand against China.
And at the forefront of that stand was a seasoned spiker in its opposite hitter Michele Gumabao.
Gumabao has been in many battles as part of the championship teams since her college days at De La Salle University. She had also had short stints with several iterations of the national squad. Now, the 29-year-old is back representing the Three Stars and a Sun.
And after two losses, she and the team carved a breakthrough win in the Cup.
The Nationals cruised into the first-set win before needing to shake off that Iran challenge in the second set. Nonetheless, the West Asians would not go down without a fight and build a huge lead against the Philippines.
Then, the Nationals smelled blood and mounted a comeback.
“It was a good run for us, especially do’n sa third set, feeling ko do’n kami na-challenge. Pero ang saya, kasi nakabalik nahabol namin yung lamang,” the 2016 V-League Open Conference Finals MVP shared of that third frame, despite them falling short of snagging the said set.
Nonetheless, it was just a mark of how this team played with a heart.
Gumabao, who got 13 points in the contest, said, “And yung pinaka-maganda talaga sa Creamline, nakaka-adjust kami kahit anong bola, kahit anong lamang ng kalaban. Basta sinabi ni coach, mag-aadjust kami sa position, and yun yung napakita namin today.”
This match also showed everyone how each and every player on this professional side takes pride and honor in playing for the country.
“Ever since, kahit anong game naman, ‘yung coaches namin is always there to remind us that we play with no pressure but with pride for the Philippines, na ilalaban namin to hanggang sa dulo.
“So, every single game ibibigay lang namin yung best namin. Whatever happens, nag-eenjoy kami, nag-eensayo kami. Volleyball lang din ang nilalaro nating lahat dito, so we will just do our best and continue to improve every single game,” the 2018 PVL Reinforced Conference Best Opposite Spiker added.
That fight back brought the house down in the Arena, as the sizable crowd that went into this Pasig City venue poured in their cheers for Gumabao, et al. And the PNWVT felt that support.
“It was very important. Sobrang thankful kami kasi ang dami talagang nanonood dito sa PhilSports. We know it’s a weekday and alam namin na very late yung game namin, pero ang dami talagang nanonood ng live. And we really hope na mas marami pang manood. Iba talaga yung manood ng live,” Gumabao expressed.
“We’re not anymore a club team – we’re representing the Philippines. So sana mas marami talagang sumuporta dito.”
The Philippines has a huge chance of making the quarterfinals. And despite the side taking on a young Korean side for its last Pool A match on Thursday, the Nationals will not leave anything to chance.
“We just have to adjust in-game. They’re very quick and ma-depensa rin sila. So, yung mga lapses lang talaga namin today, kailangan lang talaga naming mabago ng mabilis for tomorrow’s game’,” she stressed.
“Coach always says, hindi namin iisipin ‘yung kabila. We’ll take care of our side of the court first, tapos ilalaro na lang namin yung best of our abilities.”
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