SVL X: The New Rising Stars
Before anything else, I’d still like to invite all those who want to learn how to become broadcasters that I will be conducting a workshop on the subject sometime in May. Email me at sportztackle@yahoo.com in case you’re interested in learning the tools to break into our industry.
Each year, a new set of phenoms strut their stuff in the country’s premier women’s volleyball league for the first time and try to make an impact immediately.
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Some are successful in turning heads with solid sorties such as the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod’s (USLS) Patty Ordendain who made her Shakey’s V-League debut as a fourteen year old “guest” player for the College of St. Benilde in 2009—alongside playing then playing coach Thelma Barina-Roxas, who was then the oldest guest player at the age of 42. In fact, that USLS squad, erstwhile champions of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) women’s volleyball competitions had a handful of young ladies who shined on the national stage such as the fabled Aplasca sisters, Sheryl June “Beauty” Denila, Katherine Abayon and celebrated setter April Ross Hingpit. All of them left a lasting memory in the consciousness of the SVL faithful and their absence in this year’s tournament left many fans up in arms.
From Cebu then came the vibrant Michelle Simbajon of the University of San Jose-Recoletos whose heady play and leadership through emotion made SVL followers follow her games as well. It also helped that many found her very attractive. Of course in 2008, the Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles began garnering a huge legion of rabid fans as many began flocking to the San Juan Arena to catch a glimpse of not only ambassadress Charo Soriano (who was playing in her last season as a regular), but the fresh faces inserted into the crowd-darling squad led by then freshmen Fille Cainglet and Gretchen Ho.
Now that Cainglet, Ho and a phalanx of others such as Adamson’s Pau Soriano and NU’s Jen Reyes and Cai Nepomuceno are now playing in their final conferences as regular players for their respective teams, a new generation of head-turners and future superstars of the league have formally announced their presence in the league and, with the help of about one hundred or so loyal SVL aficionados, sportZtackle has identified five fresh faces who this distinguished collection of long-time viewers has selected to be the heir-apparents to the veterans that still perform at a very high level in one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the archipelago.
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So here they are, the sportZtackle rising stars list using the criteria of marketability, ability overall impact to the fans.
5. Mylene Paat (G)—AdU
She just turned 19 and is listed as 5’9” (apparently she’s grown a few inches since the line-ups were released coz she looks like she’s about six feet tall). Paat is a transferee from the University of Baguio and will be seeing action in the upcoming UAAP Season 76 (where Adamson just so happens to be the host school), but already she has shown that she will be providing a big lift to the Lady Falcons’ campaign with her stellar defensive skills and innate volleyball instincts. With the departure of Pau Soriano looming, Paat can provide that necessary help down the middle for open attackers Shiela Pineda, Mayette Zapanta and emerging Amanda Villanueva. For now, Soriano and reinforcement Angela Benting can still help develop this lefty’s talents. But it’s obvious that in many SVLs to come, Paat will be the centrepiece of Adamson.
4. Cherry Rose Nunag—DLSU-D
Sharing a name with one of the most iconic volleyball names in Philippine history (Cherry Rose Rivera-Macatangay, former SVL MVP) is probably a good thing. Her Facebook profile lists her as an “International Model” and an athlete. This is not surprising considering the statuesque physique of this Pampanga lass who turns 21 this October. Listed at 5’11” (another questionable measurement), Nunag is the energizer for the Lady Patriots and it’s interesting to note that like her “model” predecessors Rachel Anne Daquis and Denise Tan, she only learned the sport in high school. Even though, Nunag has already displayed that she has the potential to be force in the game as her presence up front causes many of her net opponents to change their shots lest be blocked ferociously. Although Nunag’s presence hasn’t really translated to many victories yet for La Salle Dasmariñas (1-2, as of this writing), her arrival in the SVL ushers in a new era for the tall youngsters who could eventually turn out to be game-changers. She’s still learning the sport, and that’s a scary prospect.
3. Diane Ticar—AU
I already mentioned Michelle Simbajon earlier. This is her upgraded clone. Ticar is the smallest member of the Lady Chiefs at 5’3” (OK, libero Jonalyn Ibisa is said to be 4’11” but they look to be as tall as each other on the court) yet she is also the feistiest. Ticar won’t be seen trash-talking or yelling at her teammates (traits that many associate with Simbajon), but she’ll let you know when you’re in her way. Just ask Arellano guest players Mary Jean Balse and Nerissa Bautista, two former league MVPs who just get pushed out of the way by their diminutive setter during a rally if they’re out of position. Ticar knows her role and embraces it with a passion, yet is so soft-spoken off the court that many will not immediately brand her as a volleyball player. Many say she looks more like a billboard model than an athlete. I guess that works for Ticar and as long as people still underestimate her skill-set, she just might lead the Lady Chiefs to a few upset wins, not only in the SVL, but also in the upcoming NCAA.
2. Suzette Panis—USC-C
Another lefty from the Queen City of the South, Panis has brought her grit as a beach volleyball specialist in Cebu to the big show in Manila. She’s presently tied for 13th in the league in scoring with no less than Pau Soriano and UST’s Pam Lastimosa and has been the go to girl of the Lady Warriors. She’s actually caught the eye of a few scouts and—if the National Team is reformed—might get the opportunity to showcase her abilities on an even larger scale. Panis is one of the most known volleybelles in Region VII, but her exploits in the SVL have raised many eyebrows and could be an immersion or two away from greatness. San Carlos is now officially eliminated from the quarterfinals, however, but Panis’ scoring-machine-like games will be remembered by many fans—and agents in the coming days.
1. Jaja Santiago (G)—NU
Yes, she’s not new to the SVL fans as this is her second tour of duty for the Lady Bulldogs, but she still captivates. According to older sister Din-Din (who, by the way is the league-leader in scoring and MVP points), Jaja is only turning 17. For those of you who think that that’s just a number have obviously not seen this “kid” yet. Jaja is 6’4” and still growing. It’s hard enough to find male teenagers with this height for any basketball program, now here is a gifted athlete who is said to be in the process of being recruited by more than one US NCAA school. While Jaja is still mum about her future and where she will suit up this school year (NU still has first dibs on her as she is graduating from their high school program), she continues to make a difference in the SVL no longer as the lanky and skinny fourteen-year-old she was when she first made her presence felt in 2011, but as a polished compliment to the new NU scheme that sees her and Din-Din share the floor. The results have showed it. The Lady Bulldogs are undefeated through the elimination phase and look to be a tough assignment for any squad owing to the ceiling the Santiago sisters bring to the table. If Jaja chooses to stay local, she will single-handedly change the face of volleyball in the country forever.
As a postscript, I can say that other regular campaigners have shown that they can also be elite in this highly competitive league such as Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez (of course), NU’s Myla Pablo and Aiko Urdas, Letran’s Melissa Cu and UST’s Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay. One thing’s for sure, there will be more and more of these future phenoms showing up at the door of the SVL in the years to come.
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It’s always like that in any league; the stars move on and the next batch of superstars take over. Did you ever think the league could be this successful without the Manilla Santoses, Jed Monteros and Mary Jane Pepitos? The talent and marketability will also be there. It’s a generation thing, I guess.
This just happens to be Generation X for the SVL.
Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate)
