INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippine – Emerging as one of the top players in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League second conference, Cherry Mae Vivas believes having the right attitude helps her deliver her best in every game.

A core member of Far Eastern U’s much-vaunted offensive lineup, the 18-year old Vivas is currently ranked number one in scoring with 129 points.

“I always believe that it is the attitude towards the game and towards my teammates that help me play better because it affects every thing inside the court,” the 5-foot-6 Vivas.

Vivas started playing for the Lady Tamaraws after she was discovered in a local league in her hometown of Laracas, Bulacan. Even before that, she admitted watching V-League games on television and wanting to be a player herself.

“I told myself, someday I can also do what they can do and I’m just happy that I am here,” said Vivas, who is currently on her third year as an Education major at FEU.

Although busy with sports and studies, Vivas makes it a point to pay equal attention to both fields, which she believes will define her future.

“On my free time, I catch up if there are anything I miss in school and when it’s really time for volleyball it’s really for it just the same as I devote myself to my studies,” said the Lady Tams open spiker.

Vivas recognizes her crucial role in the team and while she remains confident on her abilities, she nonetheless admits that she gets easily affected when she sees her teammates losing courage on the court.

“We sometimes feel down when the game seems to be not going our way. But I try my best to cheer my teammates,” she said.

At times when she is not able to execute well, Lady Tams mentor Nestor Pamiliar will call her attention and point out her mistake but will let her correct it herself and do better.

Like former team captain and star player Rachel Anne Daquis, Vivas also has loyal fans but it’s her family that inspires her the most.

“They are my source of inspiration and it’s a different feeling when your family supports what you really want and sometimes, they get more nervous than I do,” said Vivas.

After this conference, Vivas still has one year remaining at FEU, currently in second place trailing defending champion University of Santo Tomas.

“We just hope to make it (to the finals) this season and as long as I’m inspiring others with my game, I will continue playing,” she said.