'Sa Creamline, sanay kaming naghahabol': Gumabao, Panaga felt no pressure after dropping set vs Iran

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Up two sets to none against Iran during their pool phase match on Wednesday in the AVC Cup for Women 2022, the Philippine women’s national volleyball team looked to be in a good position to sweep the contest.

Iran had other plans, however, returning the favor to them and going up big in the third, 19-12 before eventually taking it to make the game more interesting.

But the Philippines was not rattled, and instead came up with an even better response in the game-clinching fourth set. Jema Galanza scored eight of her game-high 21 points in the fourth, while Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, Jeanette Panaga, and Celine Domingo all contributed well.

The result was a calm and confident Philippine side finally scoring its maiden win in the tournament via a 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14 beating of its West Asian counterpart.

For Gumabao, it’s playing without pressure that has spelled the difference for the Pinays in the nine-team tournament so far, adapting a mindset where they just focus on the things they can control.

“We play with no pressure but with pride for the Philippines na ilalaban namin ‘to hanggang sa dulo. Every single game, bibigay lang namin ‘yung best namin,” the opposite spiker said.

The 29-year-old Gumabao even spoke positively about the third set, sharing that it helped the squad test their mental fortitude.

“It was a good run for us especially in the third set, doon kami na-challenge. Ang saya kasi nakabalik, nahabol namin yung lamang. Nakaka-adjust kami kahit anong bola at bigay ng kalaban. ‘Yun ang napakita namin today,” she added.

She even joked about how in the domestic league, the Creamline Cool Smashers are already used to playing matches and having to come from behind to win.

“Sa Creamline, sanay na kaming naghahabol,” she quipped. “Coach always says ‘wag namin isipin ang kabila. We’ll take of our side of the court first and ilalaro na lang namin to the best of our abilities.”

Interestingly, the Philippines needed to go on 10-4 runs in both the first and second sets to take them.

As for Panaga, one of the important mindsets for the Philippines was to also play well in front of home fans. In the process, they should always just enjoy the game.

“Napagusapan namin na hindi kami puwede mawalan ng loob at kailangan naming makuha ang fourth set. I-enjoy lang namin yung game, nakukuha talaga namin,” she said.

Fittingly enough, Panaga contributed her most productive output in the win as she and fellow middle blocker Domingo both tallied nine points.

“Every day is important. Mahalaga yung game ngayon kaya kailangan bumawi. Kailangan mag-step up sa kung anong pagkukulang kahapon,” she added.

It’s the mindset that has been benefitting the nationals well, as they try to enter the quarterfinals and make history in one of the most prestigious international tournaments in the continent.

AVC Cup 2022 photo

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Levi Joshua Jr Verora

Levi Joshua Jr. Verora is a sportswriter, announcer, and commentator in the Philippines. He has covered national and international events like the FIBA Olympic and World Cup Qualifiers, AmeriCup, Asia Cup, and 3x3, Asian Volleyball Championship, ASEAN Basketball League, Southeast Asian Games, and AFF Championship. Nowadays, you'll hear his voice in the Philippines Football League and other local sports leagues.

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