By Adrian Stewart Co
Being recruited to play for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons’ women’s volleyball team three years ago was one of a kind feeling for Ilongga setter Marianne Sotomil.
The Pavia, Iloilo-native admitted that it was her dream to set foot for any University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) teams but playing for UP was something special.
“It’s a one of a kind feeling to represent one of the most prestigious universities sa aton nga country,” Sotomil said in an interview with Sports LANG. “It’s not just about the excitement or hype nga tawgon ka as an Iska.”
“May dala gid nga responsibilidad not just to play for the university but also to give service sa aton nga community or country in the near future kay amo gid na ang essence sa pagiging Iskolar ng Bayan,” she added.
Sotomil, a former standout of Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, said it was not an easy process to be a student-athlete for UP but she has adjusted so far as a third-year Sports Science student.
“The process was never easy, kailangan mo gid paghirapan, adlaw-adlaw i-prove mo sa coaching staff and sa tanan na you are capable and worthy sa spot sa line up for UAAP,” Sotomil said.
“That’s why UP really taught me how to work gracefully under pressure, both in academics and in volleyball,” added the Ilongga setter.
Sotomil was one of the four Western Visayas-based players of Fighting Maroons head coach Godfrey Okumu aside from Bacolodnons Jessma Ramos, Jeanny Padilla and rookie Joan Marie Monares./ASC, WDJ