F2 Logistics’ Ara Galang. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Ara Galang turned back the hands of time to help F2 Logistics sweep PLDT in their best-of-three bronze series in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Galang had 14 points including four blocks on top of 16 digs and 10 excellent receptions as the Cargo Movers took down the High Speed Hitters, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-15, for their first podium finish since entering the league last year.
“Basta’t pipilitin ko lang palagi na mag-improve every training namin everyday, kung ano pa yung mai-improve ko sa sarili ko para makatulong ako sa team,” said Galang. “Yun din naman main goal ko rin e kung saan ako makaka-contribute sa team whether offense or defense o sa lahat. Kailangan sa lahat na yun kaya kong mag-contribute sa team.”
(I will try my best to keep on improving every training, every day. My goal is also to contribute to the team whether on offense or defense. I have to contribute to my team on both ends.)
The do-it-all spiker also displayed her vintage form in Game 1 accounting for six of the F2 Logistics’ conference-high 18 blocks to finish with 13 points that went with 18 digs and 18 excellent receptions in a 20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 win over the High Speed Hitters in front of their former coach Ramil De Jesus on Sunday.
F2 Logistics’ Ara Galang. PVL PHOTO
For Galang, their bronze medal shines like gold as it will inspire them to do better in the next tournaments.
“Bronze is the new gold,” said Galang in Filipino. “Although this wasn’t our main goal, at least, we are one step closer kami. We will do it one conference at a time. This conference we already improved. So we will keep on working hard and we won’t stop until we get our goal next conference.”
Galang said they are still a work in progress under coach Regine Diego’s new system and they promise to continue striving with the Invitational Conference coming in June.
“We have a new system that started this conference. We will continue to trust the process and trust each other. We will also improve individually for us to connect better as a team,” Galang said. “We won’t stop. All of us are hungry to win. We’re excited about the next conference because this is a good finish. We just have to rise together.”