Burly National University libero Ricky Marcos felt like the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Volleyball tournament was going to be another good year for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs went 2-0 to start their campaign. But that streak was abruptly ended by something beyond their control — the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Ang sakit, alam mo yung parang pinaasa. Pinaasa lang eh, syempre nakapaglaro na kayo ng UAAP ng dalawang beses eh so yung momentum niyo, yung mga pinaghirapan niyo nandoon na so sabi mo sa sarili mo start na ng UAAP, labanan na ito tapos biglang hindi naman natin masasabi na nagkaroon ng virus,” Marcos shared to The Prospects Pod, presented by SMART Sports and supported by Chris Sports last Friday.
“May dahilan naman yung lahat kung bakit nagkakaganito.”
The two-time UAAP Best Digger was ready for the challenges in their bid to hand a three-peat to National University
Even if they no longer had former Most Valuable Player Bryan Bagunas, Marcos shared that they were up to the task of defending their crown.
“Yung expectations ng team namin sobrang mahihirapan kami kasi maraming gumraduate sa amin, sila Bagunas, natanggal din sa amin so yung expect namin yung mga UP, Ateneo so lahat ng teams sobrang lumakas so nagpursigi kami pero ayun nangyari ito,” the 5-foot-5 defensive specialist continued.
But if the 23-year-old was to decide, he is dead set on returning to National University especially if the league allows all the student-athletes who were not able to play to return for Season 83.
After all, he believes that youth is still on his side.
“Balak ko, napag isip isipan ko na hindi na kasi mababalik yung edad natin, hindi na mababalik yung kabataan natin so habang nandito pa ako, sa tingin ko lalaruin ko. Wala pang maayos na usapan pero para sa akin, gusto ko ito, kasi iba ang UAAP pag naglaro eh.”
Marcos had just received his college degree and plans to enter NU’s masters’ program.
For now, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist can’t wait to suit-up for Sta. Elena in the Spikers’ Turf.
But his NU return will still be decided by the team’s management.
