GONZAGA, CEBALLOS ASAM ANG PSL CROWN

Handang-handa na sina Jovelyn Gonzaga at Fiola Ceballos ng Cignal na sumabak sa Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2020 na gaganapin sa susunod na buwan sa Subic.

At ang tanging nasa isip nila ay ang makopo ang inaasam na kampeonato.

Ayon kay Ceballos, simula high school ay magkasama na sila ni Gonzaga at talagang pamilyar na sila sa laro ng isa’t isa, at ito ang gagamitin nilang sandata sa kanilang pakikihamok sa pagbabalik ng beach volley matapos magsimula ang coronavirus disease pandemic.

Pero kahit handa na sila, siguradong mapapalaban sila dahil open format ang beach volleyball tournament kung saan lalahok rin sina Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Sisi Rondina at Bernadeth Pons.

Sasali rin ang mga bigating manlalaro na sina Michelle Morente, Nerissa Bautista, Fritz Gallenero, Patty Jane Orendain, Bang Pineda, DM Demontano, Jackie Estoquia at Dzi Gervacio.

“She was always my partner since we were in high school,” sabi ni Ceballos. “I was in fourth year high school and she was already in college. We both need extra income. Competing in various beach volleyball tournaments helped us out.”

“I was struggling to adjust at first. But later on, I got used to it, especially playing with my Ate Jovelyn. She was always there to point out what I need to correct,” dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi naman ni Gonzaga na ang lahat ng paghihirap nila simula high school ay nagkakaroon na ng bunga ngayon.

“Before, we couldn’t even train in the sand because we have no money,” sabi ni Gonzaga. “We don’t have money to pay for the sand court and we don’t have transportation to go there. So what we did was to play with men’s volleyball players inside a covered court.”

“But it taught us to work hard and strive for the best,” dagdag niya.