By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Arah Panique’s impressive performance in Alas Pilipinas’ campaign in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women did not come as a surprise to head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

According to the Brazilian mentor, he already knew that the Bacolod City native had the potential after seeing her in her limited playing time with the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

“She was not a surprise for me. The guys who are watching the UAAP know that she has the potential, and she is not under pressure to play in any kind of competition,” De Brito said.

“She is really comfortable. Of course, she is good, she’s young. She commits mistakes, but that happens when she goes inside,” he said.

“I am really proud of her. She does not hesitate to do things inside,” he added.

For her part, Panique said her Lady Bulldogs teammates, who had experienced being under De Brito before, told her to be ready when inserted into the game.

“Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga ate ko sa NU Lady Bulldogs, kasi lahat ng ginagawa ko dito sa Alas Pilipinas galing din sa mga advice nila,” Panique said.

“Ang advice nila sa akin is pagtitiwala sa sarili, eagerness and being humble inside the court,” she said.

“And nakikinig lang po ako sa lahat ng naging advice nila,” she added.

Panique, a last-minute addition to De Brito’s 14-player roster, also said she was grateful to Alas coaches for giving her an opportunity to play in the tournament.

“Siguro po ipinakita ko lang po kung ano ‘yung kaya ko. Lagi akong sinasabihan ng teammates ko na magtiwala lang sa sarili and sa mga kasama ko sa court,” Panique said.

“Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa coaches na nagtiwala at ipinasok ako sa laro. Always ready lang po ako,” she said.

“Sobrang lakas ng loob lang din na tuwing pinapasok ako, ipinapakita ko lang kung ano ‘yung kaya ko,” she added./ASC, WDJ