10th grader gets thrill of a lifetime in volley tryouts

By: Marc Anthony Reyes - 8 years ago

Nicole Bacamante, Grade 10, can’t believe she played along side Alyssa Valdez; she set several hits for Alyssa in scrimmage. Photo by Marc Reyes

DAVAO CITY—Nicole Bacamante was working on her school assignment at home when she heard that her idol Alyssa Valdez was in town for the national tryouts.

So the varsity player of University of Immaculate Conception rushed to the University of Southeastern Philippines gym to join the tryouts.

“Wow I didn’t imagine this is possible, I only see her on TV now she’s playing with me,” said Bacamante. “Overwhelmed, she’s my idol.

The 10th grader, an open spiker like her idol, said she was thrilled by whole experience and will treasure it the rest of her life.

But her luck took a turn for the better as Arellano University owner Pete Cayco quickly offered her a scholarship for their high school team.

“Do you want to play in Manila?” said Cayco who is also acting president of Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas. “My school is a champion team, maybe you want to join.”

Bacamante said from now one she will give even more focus on volleyball. “I’m very vocal inside the court, and I discovered that she (Valdez) is also very vocal also,” she added.