BanKo Perlas spikers carve their own niche outside the lines

Outside hitter Nicole Tiamzon, middle blocker Amy Ahomiro and setter Jamenea Ferrer have powered the BPI Globe BanKo Perlas Spikers to an undefeated start so far. —ALEXIS CORPUZ

BanKo Perlas may be unbeaten in the current Premier Volleyball League Open Conference, but that doesn’t mean its standouts don’t have time to do things beyond the court.

For Nicole Tiamzon, life outside volleyball takes a more serious turn because she finds satisfaction in taking care of her advocacy: helping kids via her Spike and Serve camp.

“This is my baby, this is my nonprofit organization and I started it right after I graduated,” said Tiamzon, BanKo Perlas. “It’s giving back and investing in the grassroots.”

Tiamzon’s service to the community earned her a spot in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Youth and Sport Task Force.

And the former UP standout is just one of Perlas Spikers who look for ways to carve their niche outside the game.

Amy Ahomiro, for one, is busy pursuing her master’s degree in Ateneo.

“I mean I’ve been here long enough and sometimes you’ll hit that bump but I’m so near to my goal that I know stopping isn’t an option,” said Ahomiro who was named the Finals MVP for Season 77.

Setter Jem Ferrer, on the other hand, spends much of her time building a budding sneaker collection while Amanda Villanueva hopes to inspire people to approach a healthier lifestyle.

Ferrer said what started out as shopping trips with her boyfriend has turned into a serious hobby while Villanueva has turned her personal time off into a way to further build her body.

“I want to have a healthy lifestyle so I do it every day and I remind myself every time I don’t want to do it anymore: The more you don’t want to run is when you should run,” said Villanueva.

While Ferrer’s growing collection could someday allow her to make her mark in a typically male-dominated sporting subculture, Villanueva’s health activities have allowed her to moonlight as a model and fitness poster girl of sorts.