Jovelyn Gonzaga retires from indoor national team duty with no regrets
Veteran spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga is retiring from indoor play after Alas Pilipinas wrapped up its AVC Women’s Cup stint with a loss to Iran.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — It may have been the worst finish for Alas Pilipinas in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup, but Jovelyn Gonzaga was still grateful to be part of the team and represent the country on the international indoor stage for one last time.
Gonzaga missed her final serve, as Alas absorbed a 21-25, 12-25, 21-25 beatdown from Iran in the Battle for Seventh place on Sunday at Candon City Arena.
But the 34-year-old opposite spiker was full of gratitude despite the outcome of eighth place.
READ: Jovelyn Gonzaga urges youngsters, never lose your patriotic heart
Jovelyn Gonzaga after their stint in the #AVCWomensCup @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/2PCd0vHlTN
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 14, 2026
“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to play for the Philippines one last time,” said Gonzaga in Filipino after scoring six points.
Gonzaga, who had already given way to the younger players after shifting to beach volleyball in 2022 and 2023 following the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, heeded the country’s call anew after the majority of the previous core, which won bronze in 2024 and reached the finals last year, begged off from competing.
“Ever since high school, whenever I got the call to represent the country, I was always ready to pack my bags and go,” said Gonzaga. “This was my last chance to wear the national colors, and I have no regrets. I’m just really happy that I got to represent the Philippines and play the sport that I love.”
“For us, whenever we’re called to represent the country, we’re always ready to step up. That’s something that’s always been ingrained in us. That’s how much it meant to me,” she added.
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Gonzaga had been part of several heartbreaking campaigns with the indoor team and had a more successful career at beach volleyball with a 2021 Southeast Asian Games bronze medal and a championship in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Subic Bay Future in 2022.
But the Army sergeant and veteran spiker is hanging her indoor national team jersey full of pride and without any regrets.
“Since I was young, whenever people asked about my dream for the country, my answer was always the same — I wanted to help bring home a medal for the Philippines,” Gonzaga said. “I was able to achieve that in beach volleyball, and I’m grateful that I was able to cap off my national team journey here in indoor volleyball as well.”
