Rookie Gia Maquilang says pressure still around despite Letran’s 2-0 start

Published April 13, 2024 8:38pm

Updated April 13, 2024 8:38pm

Rookie Gia Maquilang has been one of Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s promising players in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament.

In just two games this season, Maquilang has already averaged 18 points, becoming one of Letran’s top players in the tourney. Months ago in the beach volleyball tournament, Maquilang was also named the Most Valuable Player as Letran won the title.

However, the 20-year old rookie said she is still feeling pressured during games despite her stellar outings.

Good thing, she added, is that head coach Oliver Almadro is always there to support the Lady Knights.

“Masaya po tapos may konting pressure naman po kasi natural lang po ‘yun. Palagi po kami sinasabihan ni Coach O (Almadro) na huwag matakot,” she said after Letran’s straight sets win against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.

(I’m happy but there is still pressure since it’s natural. Coach O always tells us not to be afraid.)

Maquilang is also happy that the team’s intensive training has been bearing fruit for the Lady Knights as they eye a Final Four slot by the end of the elimination round.

“‘Yung mga training namin, buwis-buhay po talaga kahit pagod, kahit konting pahinga lang, sige go laban pa rin,” she added.

(Our training is very intense, even if we’re tired or there’s just limited rest, we still go for it.)

Almadro, meanwhile, had good words for his young player.

“Gia is a very coachable girl, down to earth, and she really prepares. She is a disciplined player,” Almadro said.

“May times na may tendency ma-overwhelm but we have to discipline her, taper her, relax lang.”

(There are times that she has a tendency to be overwhelmed but we have to discipline her, taper her and just relax.)

—JKC, GMA Integrated News