With two national titles tucked under their belt in the volleyball event of the Milo Little Olympics, the Pajo National High School girls volleyball players are considered the dreaded titans of the sport especially in local competitions.
But while most rivals would just bow down their heads and submit to the inevitable rout when they have the unenviable role of being in the opposite court against the multi-titled volleybelles of Pajo, a motley crew of transferees and new recruits proved that they can be just as good or even better if they believe in themselves and not be intimidated by titles, rankings and statistics.
Composed of scouted prospects from different schools, the Southwestern University (SWU) high school spiking Lady Cobras surprised not a few people when they advanced to the gold medal match against Pajo in the recent 17th Milo Little Olympics Regional Finals.
The result of that final game however, was an even bigger surprise.
The SWU girls volleyball team, still hounded by issues regarding adjustments and not much practice time together, upset the defending champions in five, bruising sets, 24-26, 29-27, 22-25, 26-24, 15-14 to earn gold.
“I just told them to play their best and just enjoy the game. Thank God we were able to win the title,” said Jordan Paca, the head coach of the team.
HUGE CHALLENGE
For Paca, turning a group of young girls who consider themselves misfits into champion spikers is akin to putting together different and oftentimes conflicting ingredients to come up with the winning menu.
“As a coach, I have to encourage them, motivate them and try to turn them into their full potential,” said Paca who was himself recruited by SWU to coach the young team. He is the former coach of the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) for three years.
He risked leaving behind a champion team that he himself built to search for greener pastures.
“So far the school and its administration are very supportive to us. I am really impressed by how they supported their athletes by providing them scholarship and top-of-the line equipment,” added Paca.
But Paca hasn’t faced a challenge far daunting than turning a rag-tag high school squad into a champion team. The group is composed of former University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) varsity players Therese Rae Ramas, Sheila Mae Bongo, Francis Karen Derder and Maria Christa Gonzales along with former USP-F player Sheena Abigail Quino, Moalboal’s Renee Nathalie Coleen Gimeno, Catmon’s Mary Angelou Castillo and Crisley Ann Sucalit. Also with the team are Marianne Marie Calinawan, Gaye Marie Alferez and Veada Reeya Cuevas.
And their winning formula? Nothing peculiar really. They just rely on a rock-solid defense to set up an effective offense.
6TH PLACE
The team’s title run in volleyball pushed SWU to sixth place in the overall general championship with 47 points after the school’s girls badminton team topped the competition.
SWU Athletic director and Cebu City Sports Commissioner Ryan Aznar said that building a team is a huge responsibility and it is his duty to make it a good team. “Of course we have to first select the best out there and recruit them. And now I am thankful that our hard work was finally rewarded with the Milo Little Olympics gold,” said Aznar.
And having national volleyball team consultant Sammy Akaylar on their fold is also a big advantage for the development of the Spiking Lady Cobras. Aznar said that Akaylar visits SWU’s tertiary and secondary teams at least three times a month to conduct evaluation and suggest innovations.
SWU’s victory however, is tinged with sadness as five of its players will be graduating next summer. But for now, the Spiking Lady Jaguars are basking in the glory of their unexpected victory, proof that success comes to those who never stop trying even in the face of enormous adversities.
Because conquering one’s fears is what the Milo Little Olympics is all about.