Gendrauli plays through sickness, helps Gilligan’s win

PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

As Danika Gendrauli stepped into the sand court of Mall of Asia Sands by the Bay on Saturday, not only did she face her opponents on the other side under the blazing sun, she also had to face herself.

Gendrauli was suffering from fever during the Gilligan’s Sisig Queens’ match against the Foton Tornadoes in the finals of the Philippine Super Liga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup.

Before the match, Gendrauli measured her temperature, which read 38.4 degrees Celsius.

“I actually didn’t get any advanced training for the finals because of the fever,” Gendrauli said.

She and partner Jane Diaz beat The Tornadoes in three sets to claim the gold medal. “I just didn’t think of the fever during the game.”

Diaz, who was setting up Gendrauli in the offense, was far impressed with the spirit Gendrauli had.

“Her fighting spirit is incredible,” Diaz said.