Chery Tiggo’s Ara Galang during a game against Nxled in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Ara Galang has drawn an unusual inspiration in Chery Tiggo’s campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Wearing jersey No. 10 and sporting a red buzz cut, Galang is channeling his inner “Hanamichi Sakuragi,” whom she said had a great impact on her childhood and is the main protagonist in a popular sports manga “Slam Dunk.”
“Pineg ko din talaga kasi actually, snung nagstart ako sa Chery, kasi sakto nagnumber 10 ako. E plano ko na rin mag-red hair pero diba hindi pa ako nag-semi kalbo last conference,” Galang told reporters. “Kilala rin naman yun na [character] natin at saka, kabataan ko yun. So, nakakatuwa din na kita ko yung positive din yung tingin nila and hindi naman siya insult so, okay naman.”
READ: PVL: Ara Galang repays Chery Tiggo trust with rousing debut
Ara Galang on sporting Hanamichi Sakuragi’s hair and jersey number 10. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/6NfmSp6McD
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 20, 2024
Even when she was still with F2 Logistics, which disbanded last December, the La Salle product said she had already planned to dye her hair red but felt it didn’t match the Cargo Movers’ yellow and black team colors.
“Red talaga yung gusto ko ever since, kahit nung sa F2 pa ko. Pero ayoko kasing magred yellow din eh, I mean, para kang pencil. Mahilig lang din talaga ako mag iba’t ibang hairstyle, ever since naman e,” she said.
Galang, who was also clad in mismatched red and black shoes, is not only looking to channel Sakuragi’s style but also the character’s passion for the sport.
“Si Hanamichi kasi alam mo yung palaban din kasi siya. Parang nagstart din siya ng wala, parang paangat. Hanggang sa nabuild niya yung confidence niya. Na-build, parang pinagkatiwalaan din siya ng mga kasama niya. Ganun din naman ako as a player eh,” Galang said.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo rookie Karen Verdeflor impresses in debut
Galang delivered 11 points including a game-high four blocks on top of 11 digs as Chery Tiggo stayed unbeaten in two games in Pool A after sweeping Nxled, 25-16, 25-20, 25-23, on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
“Kailangan panindigan ko yung binigay sa aking responsibility and binigay na role. Nag-start naman yun sa training eh, syempre kung ano yung pinagtatrabahuhan ko, yun naman din yung mailalabas ko. Nagfofocus lang ako kung ano yung kaya kong macontribute sa team,” she said.
Her “Sakuragi” hairdo won’t be the last in the PVL as Galang seeks to pull off other styles in the future.
“Totoong meron akong ibang gusto kaya lang parang hair tattoo siya, iba iba. Semikalbo pero may iba iba, parang may flame ganon, marami akong gustong itry talaga pero tinitignan ko pa kung kelan and kung mama-match. Mas focus ko yung laro eh,” said Galang.