Michele Gumabao chases after the ball during an AVC Cup game. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Michele Gumabao has been stepping up big time for the Philippine women’s volleyball team with her impressive showing against Vietnam and China in the AVC Cup.
The veteran opposite spiker shone in her first two games as Creamline starter, filling in the leadership role in the absence of Alyssa Valdez and averaging 11 points in her first two games for the Philippines’ back-to-back gallant fights against Asian powerhouse teams.
Gumabao believes her resurgence is a result of the Cool Smashers embracing their respective responsibilities inside the court and giving her one hundred percent every time she gets a chance to attack.
“We all know our responsibilities inside the court. We know what to do to be able to score, block or cover [the floor] and we just have to give our 100 percent. Each one knows her role and whoever has the hot hands and momentum then we’ll work with that,” said Gumabao in Filipino after displaying a valiant effort against the Chinese on Tuesday.
Even though they trailed two sets to China after falling short in the second set, the La Salle standout didn’t go down without a fight, scoring six of her 11 points in the third to give the defending champion a major scare before the Philippines yielded with a 16-25, 22-25, 20-25 loss and dropped to 0-2 in Pool A.
“We just kept on fighting. We all know the level and the caliber of our opponents. We told each other to have a never say die (attitude) and keep on fighting until the end. We’re happy with what we’ve been showing every single game so far,” she said.
Gumabao is glad that the Cool Smashers are improving every game with Tots Carlos still thriving in her new position as open spiker and Jia De Guzman returning to provide the brilliant plays in time for their last two Pool A games against Iran on Wednesday and South Korea on Thursday.
“I think as a team, we had a better performance today (against China). We moved better and showed better jelling in our position especially Tots for her open position now she had a good reception and attacks. It’s looking good in Jia’s first game back,” she said. “And at least the improvement is there every single day.”
Gumabao is hoping to sustain their impressive showing from their first two games as they gun for a win to gain a quarterfinals berth and avoid a last-place finish.
“Since we played well in our first two games, we’re really hopeful to get better results for Iran and the Korea game,” she said.