Gonzaga: I teach the Lady Tamaraws how to be fighters

Jovelyn Gonzaga (18), the undoubted leader for the FEU Lady Tamaraws. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Jovelyn Gonzaga is a well-traveled volleyball veteran, going from one league to another and one time captained the Philippine contingent in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games.

But even as she transferred from one team to another, Gonzaga frequently wore a couple shades of green—Far Eastern University’s moss green and Philippine Army’s camouflage green.

Gonzaga plays concurrently with the two teams with FEU at Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference and with the Philippine Army for the AFP-PNP Games.

As an employee of the Philippine Army, Gonzaga knows very well what it means to fight.

“I teach the kids how to be fighters, never giving up, and giving it their all,” Gonzaga said Saturday at San Juan Arena. “Being brave and not losing hope.”

“Also I want them to enjoy the game.”

Gonzaga saw what she preached when FEU pulled off a tough one against University of Santo Tomas, 25-16, 19-25, 27-29, 25-15, 15-10, in the semifinals.

FEU had to bounce back from a 2-1 set deficit and close the match in the fourth and fifth sets.

“Yes, I saw it during the game,” Gonzaga said of the team’s fighting spirit. “They enjoyed the game and they never lost hope.”

“When you enjoy the game, it just lifts the pressure off of you.”