Abby Marano of DLSU Lady Spikers is UAAP Women's VolleyballMost Valuable Player for Season 74.
(Photo by Roy Afable)
The UAAP women’s volleyball season 74 has been one of the so far. Fans were treated to yet another epic battle between rivals Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles and De La Salle University Lady Spikers in the Finals. It’s not often that you see these two teams play in a championship match.
For the defending champs though, the level of competition was even tougher than their season 73 title win. Even with their streak broken in game 1 of the finals was broken, that didn’t stop them from getting a W in game 2.
We all know volleyball is a team sport but players get some individual love as well. Before game 2 of the finals began, the awarding ceremony was held. Three of La Salle’s players were rewarded with some individual honors. Michelle Gumabao took home the Best Blocker plum while Ara Galang got the best server and ROY awards respectively. The season MVP nod went to Abigail Marano.
Thankful to God for everything
She’s been one of the best scorers in the UAAP and has been a big part of La Salle’s success. Talking about the individual honor, she said that it took her by surprise and never expected to win it.
Despite the MVP plum was already on lock for her, she says that she’s always thankful to God for all her blessings.
“Sobrang nagulat ako,” Marano confessed. “During that time kasi ang dami lagi nagsasabi sa akin na ‘o ikaw nay an, ikaw na yan.’ Binigyan ako ni coach ng words nya. Sabi nya wag namin intindihin yun. Yung award wag natin ilagay sa utak, sa puso dapat nilalagay. Kung uukol sayo, uukol sayo.“
“So, laging kong iniisip na kung may award ako kung uukol sa akin – ibibigay syo, ipagkakaloob sa akin ni God,” She added. “Nung di na ako nag-expect, parang binitawan ko na. Sabi ko, ‘God sobrang laki ng binigay mo sa akin. Deserving ba ako para dito? Pero since binigay mo to sa akin, so paninindigan ko na sya.’ So I thank him so much.”
Lessons learned from Game 1
When Ateneo won game 1, she said they have learned from their loss and have made a number of adjustments for game 2.
“Yung pinaka-number one na kailangan naming matutunan is yung pag-control ng intensity ng bawat isa and puso namin sa ginagawa namin,” she said. “Kasi medyo nawawala kami, lalo na kapag intense na yung game. At syempre, lagi naman naming pinag-aaralan yung game ng Ateneo. So adjustment lng kung pano naming ma-eexecute yung pinag-aralan naming.”
Nerve-racking championship series atmosphere
Those adjustments were very much evident in their win against the Lady Eagles in the second game of the Finals. Clearly, that’s how they got the 2-1 lead in the series.
We all know that whenever Ateneo and La Salle plays, the arena is always full and the crowd goes bananas. Of course, with these two teams playing in a championship match – it’s no exception.
Even on TV, the crowd is always crazy. Whether you’re a player from Ateneo or La Salle, that kind of atmosphere oftentimes affects their game.
“Sobrang nakaka-tense sya,” the season MVP admitted.
“Pero kapag nagta-time out kami, binibigyan kami ni coach ng time to medititate and realize na hindi mo dapat pakinggan yung crowd. Kung san ka naka-focus sa game mo, dun ka mag focus.”
A happy ending for Ms. Everything
While she’s one of La Salle’s go to players, her success wouldn’t be without their captain Cha Cruz who happens to be playing in her final year. Cruz has been the team’s inspiration and was the key to their undefeated 14-0 streak.
In what could be Cha Cruz’s final game in a Lady Archers uniform, Marano knows that it’s not gonna be the same without her. She and the rest of her teammates will do their best to defend their title and that team captain’s final playing year won’t be for naught.
“Yung feeling naman na yun lagi kong iniisip na kailangan matapos yung season na ito na makukuha namin (yung championship) para ibibigay namin kay ate Cha. Hindi kami papayag na mag-gagrauate sya for nothing. Ito i-aalay namin sa kanya,” Marano said.
Sealing the deal in Game 3
Now that the game 1 loss is behind them and got their confidence back in game 2, asked if fans can expect a more energetic La Salle team come Wednesday for game 3.
“Yes, of course. They can expect more of that,” she confirmed. “Kasi eto na eh – game 3, so all out na kami, all heart na talaga and all for God.”
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