Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—For the past couple of seasons, Dimdim Pacres was University of Santo Tomas’ diligent soldier.
Pacres always played the role of support to established stars Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure in Season 79 being the Golden Tigresses’ third option on offense.
Same thing happened in Season 80 when Milena Alessandrini, who was named Rookie of the Year that season, paired with Rondina.
Pacres was then, relegated to the bench in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament when Eya Laure arrived to form a troika with Alessandrini and Rondina, but the jolly spiker kept herself ready.
UST, though, still needed Pacres especially when Alessandrini suffered a knee injury on Saturday against Far Eastern University.
Without Alessandrini, Pacres proved that she belonged and she promptly delivered in UST’s stunning three-set win over De La Salle, 25-20, 25-22, 25-17, scoring eight points as the team’s third option.
Pacres said that she’s ready for whatever that lies ahead and she knows this season would be her redemption year.
“I’m ready, I’m always ready,” said Pacres in Filipino after she finished with eight points and 13 digs for the Golden Tigresses. “Coach (Kung Fu Reyes) told me that I have to redeem myself, so for me it’s good to be back because I played terrible last season.”
Pacres scored a total of 89 points in Season 80 playing as the team’s opposite hitter and her mark was actually the 29th best in the league, but she knew her performance wasn’t at par with what was expected of her.
Reyes said he always pushes Pacres to do more and that it’s okay to entertain the crowd while playing but not forgetting to go about it seriously.
“She had 13 digs but I still told her off,” said Reyes in Filipino. “I reminded her, and also her teammates, that it’s okay to be entertaining to the crowd but she has to remember that we’re here to compete and although she’s enjoying herself she should do things the right way.”