Former de La Salle star Aby Maraño. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
It’s been two years since Aby Maraño last played with her former college teammates Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Kim Dy and Cyd Demecillo, who all had integral roles in bringing the UAAP championship back to La Salle last month.
But with the latest season of the Philippine Superliga just around the corner, Maraño will only have to wait for another month before their much-anticipated reunion.
“Siyempre, sobrang saya kasi hinintay ko talaga yung panahon na ‘to na magkikita kita ulit kami, magiging magkakampi,” said Maraño, who was part of the PSL All-Star selection team which played an exhibition game against aspiring PSL players during the pre-draft camp on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
“Sila yung pamilya ko. Galing akong La Salle, sila yung mga anak-anakan ko, mga teammates ko. Kumbaga kahit anong klaseng hininga or tinginan sa court alam na namin bawat isa, kilos ng bawat isa, character ng bawat isa,” Maraño added. “So I’m really, really excited to be playing with these ladies again.”
The 23-year-old Maraño had a colorful collegiate career as a Lady Spiker and her résumé speaks for her greatness with five UAAP Finals appearances, winning three straight titles in between.
Maraño hopes La Salle’s winning tradition will spill over to the PSL as part of F2 Logistics, which will also be under the tutelage of Ramil de Jesus.
De Jesus, the author of all of La Salle’s nine UAAP crowns, will also bank on former La Salle standouts Stephanie Mercado and Cha Cruz with another star Lady Spiker in Ara Galang also a possibility to bolster the squad via direct hire if she opts to skip the draft.
“Siyempre. I’m hoping din na sabay sabay kaming umangat, sabay sabay din kaming mag-grow, ma-develop pa yung skills namin and yung strength nung team dito sa PSL lalo na magkakasam ulit kami and we’ll be handled by coach Ramil, our very own coach Ramil.”