Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—They may have been chosen for the national team pools but Far Eastern University’s Lycha Ebon and Celine Domingo would rather focus on their current campaign in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament first before anything else.
Domingo was chosen for the seniors pool that will prepare for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games while Ebon, the 19-year-old rookie, was included in the Under-23 pool that will compete in the Southeast Asian Grand Prix.
“We’re ecstatic because we really didn’t expect that we would be part of the program but our focus right now is the UAAP,” said Ebon in Filipino after their five-set win over Adamson University 25-18, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-8, Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Both Ebon and Domingo never expected that they would be part of the pool but both expressed their gratitude for having an opportunity to don the Philippine tricolor.
“I’m extremely thankful because I was chosen and I was selected to be part of the seniors’ pool,” said Domingo who had 14 points. “I never expected this but I will do my best to prove my worth and contribute in whatever way I can.”
Domingo and Ebon weren’t the only Lady Tamaraws to be chosen in one of the two national team pools with Jerrili Malabanan and Angel Cayuna also chosen for the senior group.
Ebon, who had 17 points against the Lady Falcons, is the only Lady Tamaraw part of the Under-23 pool.
Domingo added that with their sights set on the UAAP, the pressure to perform better as members of the national team pool isn’t there and they know that what they can do in the collegiate league would help them once the practices with their Philippine teammates start.
“Just as Lycha said we’re focused on the UAAP and I know that the tournament will help us build ourselves better and what we learn here will always be brought once we start with the national team,” said Domingo. “There really is no pressure because we’re more focused here in the UAAP.”