After helping the Letran Lady Knights book their third straight finals appearance, Gia Maquilang is glad to be back on the floor and contributing to her title-seeking squad after being sidelined by a leg injury earlier in the NCAA Season 101 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Last Saturday, Letran defeated archrival San Beda in four sets in a do-or-die semifinal. Maquilang contributed 13 points off the starting lineup in the victory.
“Masaya po talaga, as in ‘yung spirit ko parang ‘yung energy ko andun talaga kasi gusto ko nalang tumulong,” she said in an exclusive interview with Rebanse.
Maquilang had been relegated to the sidelines early in the second phase of the elimination round due to a left knee injury.
“Kase nung nakaraan need po nila ako tapos hindi ako maka show-up ng 100% pero ngayon hindi man po [ulit] 100% pero nag show-up pa rin ako sa kung anong kaya ko,” she added.
She returned to the active roster in Game 2 of their semifinal series after missing multiple weeks. Despite the loss, she still contributed 5 points and a service ace.
Loss to San Beda a Wake-Up Call, Says Gia Maquilang
Despite their 15-game winning streak being snapped, Gia Maquilang says the loss gave the team a much-needed wake-up call.
“Parang good experience naman po ‘yun. Wake-up call po namin. Para malaman namin na hindi lang kami yung nag-iisip na manalo, pati din ‘yung kalaban, gustong manalo,” she said.
Every match in the semifinal series between Letran and San Beda went to four sets.
“Nung last game parang inisip naman na, okay lang ‘tong laro na ‘to, parang hindi namin binibigay ‘yung best kase siguro sanay na rin na kahit anong gawin mananalo…,” Maquilang added.
An Energized Crowd
What made the series more special was that Letran secured the victory against their longtime collegiate rivals—and the crowd on both sides fueled them throughout.
“Super exciting talaga, as in ‘yung saya parang natuwa kami, ‘ay okay ganito palang yung crowd ng Beda,’ Parang napa-isip kami na sana sa next game, sa Game 3 maraming manood,” the outside hitter said.
Indeed, the San Andres Sports Complex was packed with Letranistas and Bedans cheering their hearts out.
“Fortunately naman marami po talagang nanood tas nag-supporta, as in grabe ‘yung mga crowds, binibigay po namin yung best [namin],” Maquilang added.
The Letran faithful will want to show up again as Gia Maquilang and the Lady Knights take on the Benilde Lady Blazers in Game 1 of the finals on Sunday, April 5, at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
