Inquirer 7: Volleyball’s best
It was another banner year for volleyball. Sure, having two leagues with crossing schedules is a pain where the sun doesnít shine for fans and players, but that’s a welcome problem for the sport itself, which is receiving a glut of support from corporate sponsors. After our take on the PBA and the collegiate scene, Inquirer 7 now visits the year that was for volleyball by picking the seven most influential women athletes in the country.
The volleybelles were measured for their impact on the sport, their success this year and their fan appeal.
Cutting the list was almost impossible so we start off with three honorable mentions:
Michele Gumabao of champion team Pocari Sweat led her team to back-to-back titles this year in Shakeyís V-League.
Ara Galang, easily one the sportís best pound-for-pound, spurred La Salle’s championship run in the UAAP and anchored F2 Logistics’ win in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino. Galang also drew one of the most votes in our social media poll.
Cherry Rondina energized volleyball courts en route to helping UST win the UAAP beach volleyball title. Rondina’s heavy spikes and court antics easily made her an instant star. She lit up the Shakeyís V-League all-star crowd when she did cartwheels before hitting a spike or serving.
That said, the Inquirer 7, in alphabetical order, this year are:
Kim Fajardo
Even Thai national team coach Kittipong Pornchartyingcheep lavishly praised the F2 Logistics setter during the PSL International Invitationals early this year.
But her shining moment was during the FIVB Womenís Club Championships where she fluidly got the offense running for PSL-Manila even though half of the team were guest foreign players.
Serbian coach Moro Branislav put his trust on the 22-year-old Fajardo that she even had more playing minutes than Tichaya Boonlert of Thailand.
Fajardo, who is working on her masters degree, will still suit up for the Lady Archers in the coming season.
Jovelyn Gonzaga
The shy Guimaras native shifts into a ferocious mode on the court with natural ease. Sheís been dubbed by experts as the best opposite hitter in the Philippines today.
Athletic and left-handed, Gonzaga doesnít rely on just sheer power, but also on wits. Her name has been in headlines this year, having been the leader of RC Cola-Army in the PSL and a member of the Philippine teams in the AVC and FIVB Clubs tournament which the country hosted.
Though she didnít come from a UAAP school, having played for Central Philippine University in Iloilo, she commands a huge fan base because of her skills and demeanor on and off the court.
Gonzaga, 25, will be entering an Army training course that might sideline her for eight months. She currently holds the rank of corporal.
Dawn Macandili
She holds the distinction of being the first libero to ever win a Most Valuable Player award.
The diminutive yet highly agile Macandili bagged the plum after helping F2 Logistics capture the All Filipino Conference this year.
Macandili also played a vital part in La Salleís championship run, forming a big chunk in coach Ramil de Jesus’ rotation both in the collegiate and club leagues.
Her big moments came in the PSL when she placed herself in the firing end of the likes of Lindsay Stalzer, Stephanie Niemer and Ariel Usher.
Yet the most telling was how she upstaged PSL’s established shielders like Jen Reyes and Angelique Dionela right on her rookie year.
Myla Pablo
She has the swagger. The power. And, just recently, the cash windfall.
The 5-foot-10 Pocari Sweat open spiker figured in a watershed moment for Philippine volleyball when she signed a P4.6 million contract with Pocari Sweat.
The deal even included a brand new Hyundai Accent as sweetener. And why not? Pablo rightfully deserves it.
The former National University spiker carved a niche in the club leagues as a power-playing hitter who is sometimes caught swearing on the court during intense plays.
Her spikes are often compared to Alyssa Valdezóonly itís raw, unpolished and could end up being even more powerful.
Mika Reyes
The 22-year-old Reyes has proven that sheís not just a pretty face. She helped steer La Salle to the UAAP championship manning the middle position.
But the 5-foot-11 Reyes didnít realize that her year was about to get even better.
Reyes was soon named Ambassador of the PSL, serving as the leagueís main attraction. No debate there: She draws the most applause during the games in the PSL, especially in out-of-town sorties.
She was also tapped as one of the Magnificent Seven in the FIVB Worlds, and showed everyone that she deserves the slot when she started scoring against the world’s fiercest players.
Jaja Santiago
Height is truly might.
The 6-foot-5 Santiago stood taller than most of the PSL Manila imports and probably had the most playing minutes in the FIVB Clubs as well.
The Foton marquee player transformed from a tentative middle blocker into a hang-time smasher this year. Her experience gained from playing in the international stage also boosted her confidence.
Branislav said Santiago has what it takes to snag multimillion contracts given the right training regimen.
During Fotonís championship run in the PSL Grand Prix, Santiago was even playing open and opposite with ease and flair.
Hands down, sheís the most dominant player in the country right now.
She proved it last September when she motored from Biñan, Laguna, where she was playing in the AVC Club, to Philsports in Manila to banner the NU Bulldogs in the Shakeyís V-League.
Alyssa Valdez
By sheer number of followers, she is clearly the leading face of Philippine volleyball right now, and arguably the most talented.
The giggly Ateneo stalwart helped popularize the sport when she powered the Lady Eagles to their first UAAP title in 2014, then led them again in defending it in 2015.
This year, she also captured her third MVP award in the Shakey’s V-League, the most by anybody, despite failing to win the crown for both BaliPure in the All Filipino Conference and Bureau of Customs in the Reinforced Conference this year.
Valdez played her farewell season with Ateneo after losing to La Salle in the UAAP.
But even that didnít diminish her popularity. Judging from the huge fan base, Valdez is still the sportís biggest draw.
Now she will suit up for 3BB Nakornnont in the ongoing Thailand League, earning the distinction as the first Filipino to play for a foreign club.
