Foton Tornadoes’ Shaya Adorador. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Shaya Adorador hopes to lead by example to her young teammates as she embraces a bigger role with the Foton Tornadoes in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
Adorador, who was transferred from Chery Tiggo to the franchise’s new team, was grateful for her experience with the Philippine women’s volleyball team in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup, where she learned to play as a leader, especially from her veteran teammate Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.
“Thank you Lord kasi binibigyan niya ako ng lakas para ipaglaban yung Pinas lalo na siyempre yung bansa na yung pinaglalaban natin, ibang usapan na yun Talagang all out na po yung binigay namin,” said the Foton captain. “Nainspire din ako kay Nang Aiza Maizo grabe siya magdala ng team hindi man siya magsalita, ok lang talagang presence niya malaking impact na yun para sa akin.”
(I’m thankful to the Lord because he gave me the strength to fight for the Philippines. We played all out there. I was also inspired by Aiza Maizo, who may not be vocal but her actions and presence made a huge impact in leading us.)
Days after they finished seventh out of 11 teams in Indonesia, the University of the East product admitted she felt weary in the past two games in the PVL, where they fell to a 0-2 record in Pool B.
“Kailangan ko magrecover kasi nararamdaman ko yung mga nararamdaman ng mga ate ko dati na gusto ng utak mo talaga pero minsan physically tired na pero laban talaga once nasa loob ng court, talagang all out, and lahat ng teams talagang palaban,” Adorador said.
(For me, I really need to recover because I already felt what my teammates experienced before that even my mind wants to keep on playing but physically you are already tired. But once you step on the court, you will still play all out since all the teams here are really competitive.
But she didn’t let fatigue stand in her way as she still led Foton’s gallant stand in the first two matches, even fighting through cramps.
“I use the trust given to me by my team as an inspiration to train and improve every day. I know that I still have a lot to learn from my coaches, especially when it comes to leading a team in the latter part of the game. I have to be more vocal,” she added in Filipino.
Foton coach Brian Esquibel praised Adorador’s determination to lead the team, amid her grueling schedule with the national team.
“I’m impressed with that kid because instead of resting she still attends our practice and shows her younger teammates that this is how Shaya Adorador plays,” said Esquibel in Filipino.
With a 10-day break before facing Cignal (1-1) on July 11 at Philsports Arena, Adorador hopes to work on their composure when it comes to the end game and their team chemistry.
And she continues to trust the process amid the losing start in the short midseason tournament where only the top two teams from the six-team Pool B will advance to the semifinal round.
“We’re a new and young team. It’s a new role for me to lead a team. But I’m happy with the efforts of my teammates in every training and every game. I don’t feel that I carry the burden alone even though I am one of the eldest players,” Adorador said.