Chery Tiggo setter Alina Bicar. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Mylene Paat may be Chery Tiggo’s official skipper but she says setter Alina Bicar is the captain of the game after leading the Crossovers’ unbeaten in three games in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Paat poured in 22 points with Bicar providing the brilliant plays to stun erstwhile unbeaten F2 Logistics, 25-19, 25-14. 25-16, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
“Kumbaga sa barko siya yung captain. Ako yung captain ng team pero siya yung captain ng game,” said Paat on Bicar, who dished out 20 excellent sets and a kill block.
(She’s like the captain of the ship. I am the captain of this team but she is the captain of the game.)
“Alina is a short setter but once she enters the court, she stands tall. She can block. Earlier in the game, she had a single block,” she added.
‘ALWAYS READY’
The University of Santo Tomas product, who orchestrated her team’s 54-22 edge in attacking against F2 Logistics, expressed her eagerness to deliver for the Crossovers every time she plays.
“I always think every time coach fields me in that I want to perform [well]. I want to help my team any time they need me. I am always ready,” Bicar said in Filipino.
Bicar, who has been embracing the main playmaker role, said that she and fellow setter Jasmine Nabor have a good collaboration in running the plays for the Crossovers.
“We [me and Jasmine] always look out for each other. Whoever has a good game, we support and help each other,” she said. “I won’t be able to do it without my teammates. We set the plays but our teammates score. I and Jas are so grateful for their trust.”
Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez lauded Bicar’s determination, letting her game do the talking despite being a soft-spoken setter.
“Alina now is really showing a lot of heart. I can see the aggressiveness. She’s not vocal and expressive. But she’s very precious [to our team]. Once Alina gets focused, everything gets going. You can really see her love for the sport,” said Velez in Filipino.
Bicar said the Crossovers have to avoid being complacent and stay determined as they eye their fourth win against the PLDT High Speed Hitters (1-1) at the same venue in Pasig City.
“We just stick to what we’re doing. We’re not being complacent. We thank God for the win. We helped each other and enjoy the game. We just have to stick together and keep our fighting spirit,” she said.