The Philippine women’s volley team may have not gotten a podium finish in the 2018 Asian Games, but setter Jia Morado is still going home with something unforgettable— a souvenir from her longtime idol.
The 23-year-old Morado will be returning to the country after the team’s eighth-place finish with a game-worn volleyball jersey from her idol Thailand’s veteran setter Nootsara Tomkom.
In a tweet, Morado could not help but fangirl over Tomkom, as she shared a photo of her holding a jersey of the celebrated Thai setter which the latter wore during the gold medal match against China in the continental meet.
I’m speechless. Thank you so much ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pxkcGdih3R
— Julia Morado (@juliacmorado) September 1, 2018
Morado, who draw comparisons to Tomkom for her style of playmaking, said that receiving the gift made her “speechless” and even “more inspired” to double her work.
“To be in the same tournament, much more in the same court as the player I have always looked up to definitely makes the hard work and sacrifices I made worth it,” the former Ateneo superstar who now plays for Creamline.
“But bringing home the jersey she wore in their championship game leaves me speechless, and even more inspired to work harder to be given an opportunity like this again,” she gushed.
In 2015, Morado posted a photo of her with Tomkom on Instagram in which she described the prized Thai setter as her “ultimate setting idol.”
Morado and Tomkom faced each other in the opener of the Asian Games which the powerhouse Thailand won in straight sets.
In the end, Morado said that the veteran Thai setter will remain an inspiration not only to her but to all volleyball players in the word.
“Thank you so much, @nootsara13! You’re an inspiration to me and millions to volleyball players in the world,” she concluded.