PVL: Coach KungFu Reyes happy to see Dimdim Pacres return to action

Dimdim Pacres and the Galeries Tower in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Chery Tiggo may have swept Galeries Tower but the Crossovers deputy coach KungFu Reyes was happy to see Dimdim Pacres in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

Going up against her college coach and former teammates Eya and EJ Laure, Pacres led the Highrisers’ gallant fight in the third set and finished with 11 points before the Crossovers earned their second straight win, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21, on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

“I’m happy for her because she’s back. She will have an additional income that’s number one. The second is she can finally play her beloved sport and it’s another chance for her to build a continuous career as a pro player,” said Reyes in Filipino.

The 26-year-old Pacres revealed that Reyes didn’t stop motivating her during her four-year hiatus from the sport where she suffered from depression after some companies attempted to recruit her but didn’t push through.

Reyes said he was alarmed after hearing from the Laure sisters that Pacres was out of shape during their visit to Cebu.

Dimdim Pacres and the Galeries Tower in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We still have constant communication Since she’s not playing her body weight doubled. So I told her to take care of herself and stay fit. Even though she was not playing, I told her to continue working out even if she’s not playing to prevent illness,” the University of Santo Tomas coach said.  “She had anxiety and depression because of the pandemic but I told her that life shouldn’t stop and no team will recruit you if you won’t work out. Just stay disciplined and healthy and keep on training.”

“At least, she listened that’s why she’s here again because she earned it. I reminded her that you won’t get what you want right away so you have to take one step at a time,” he added.

The Chery Tiggo deputy coach admitted that the hard-hitting opposite spiker made it hard for them in the third set. That’s why he told his players to stay patient and read Pacres’ approach and attacks.

“Physically, Dimdim is not that prepared but her instinct and determination to score and lead are still there. So I told them to read her movements well. In the third set, she unleashed her strong attacks and showed us the Boom Pacres we know,” Reyes said.

Reyes and Pacres may be in different teams but the veteran coach hopes the best for his former player.

“Hopefully, we can see more of her before the conference ends. I hope she continues to reduce weight so she can reach her full potential,” he said.

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