BACARRA, Ilocos Norte -- Ponggay Gaston has been Choco Mucho's 'Energizer Bunny' inside the Premier Volleyball League bubble.
Aside from Gaston's improved offense and floor defense, Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro lauded the relentless energy of the former Ateneo team captain the helped the Flying Titans in winning their first three matches.
"Kailangan namin ng energizer bunny so si Ponggay yun. I'm really confident with her alam mo namang team captain ko yan sa Ateneo and she's a champion player also," said Almadro.
"Alam niya na kailangan ko siya magimprove and she's a very humble player naman magi-improve at magiimprove pa yun ang aim niya lagi."
Gaston had nine points and made 22 digs and five excellent receptions as Choco Mucho bear Perlas Spikers, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20, on Sunday at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
"Siya 'yung hugutan namin ng energy. It really helps us boost our confidence and our energy. Alam naman natin na 'yung pagod dumarating yan," he added.
Gaston, for her part, is embracing her role to keep her team's enthusiasm on and off the court.
"Kahit anong responsibility na ibibigay ni coach tatanggapin ko. Kahit anong position man yan, may tiwala ako sa coaches, lalo na kay Coach O," Gaston said. "Tanggap lang ng tanggap kasi sino namang tatanggi sa mga blessings, regalo kumbaga."
Gaston is also grateful to be playing the historic maiden professional volleyball league after her final UAAP playing year was cut short in 2020 due to the pandemic.
"Andito na 'yung chance ng lahat ng volleyball players, na makagawa ulit ng passion nila and we love sports. This is our job, this is our life, sabihin niyo sigurong cheesy pero for us volleyball is life," she said. "Dito na namin ibibigay 'yung buong buhay namin kasi ito na 'yung gift ni Lord sa amin. By his grace, by his strength, ilang years na walang volleyball so ito na 'yung ibubuga namin."
Moving on to a new chapter of her career, Gaston vowed to keep on improving.
"From this point, hindi kami titigil. We're gonna keep working. We know we had a lot to improve on, kahit ano man 'yung standing niyan, magtatrabaho pa rin kami," she said. (AL)
