Returning Bernal determined to get back to top form

Venus Bernal. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Returning to the taraflex court for the first time in three years, Venus Bernal admitted she still has a lot of catching up to do especially around younger teammates in Cignal.

Bernal, who came in in the second set, finished with only four points in the HD Spikers’ opening loss to F2 Logistics Thursday night.

“Kulang pa ako sa training,” said the 30-year-old. “Recently lang ako nakapag-full time sa (practice with Cignal) kasi may mga restrictions din sa company namin kasi nagkaroon din kami ng tournament this October.”

It has been a long time coming for Bernal, who finally found a way to split time with her work in Manila Water and training with the HD Spikers.

“Nakakamiss din kasi syempre, nasanay ako na ilang taon ding naglalaro sa harap ng maraming tao. Yun talaga ang nakaka-excite sa paglalaro eh, yung makita ka ng maraming tao,” she said.

With a lot of volleyball fans awaiting for her return, the first Philippine Super Liga Most Valuable Player wants dampen the expectations a little bit especially that she hasn’t gotten that much practice with Cignal.

But that doesn’t mean she’s not going to try her best to help Cignal return to the championship picture once again.

“Ang sa akin lang talaga, gusto ko lang makapag-perform ako kung ano ang kaya kong ilabas para makakatulong sa team na makabalik kami sa Finals,” she said. “Doon nga ako nape-pressure eh, sa expectations ng tao kasi ang daming umaasa. Nakakatuwa rin but at the same time, medyo nakakahiya kasi syempre hindi pa ako makapag-perform at hindi ko pa mabigay ang talagang kailangan dahil nga ‘yun nga kulang ako sa training.”

Still far from her top form, Bernal is willing to go through the hard work to will herself back into the her best shape again.

“Pinipilit ko na makasabay naman sa teammates ko. Nasa 70-percent pa lang ako ngayon, pero feeling ko kasi kaya ko pa. Siguro kailangan ko lang din mag-adjust muna. Practice pa,” she said.