On girls and balls they hit hardly

Recently I have been hooked severely into these girls who can hit the ball the hardest way possible and this is so much appealing to my senses. In every time they do it, I can't help but to feel the intensity of that hit smashing the ball down straight the line and make some point! This is the women's volleyball of the UAAP Season 76 where all the hypes and dramas have been adding a colorful twists into every details of the event. 

I have been a fan since I knew some of the early girls way back in Season 72, I was cheering then for UST with the likes of Venus Bernal, Roxanne Pimentel, Mary Jean Balse and the beautiful and charming Angelie Tabaquero. I also got to follow their off-season games in the Shakey's V-League. I do play volleyball but not that serious as getting into the varsity team. At least I know the basics, I play the game and I know the rules. 

Quite sometime, succeeding seasons have born out lovelier and talented ladies who can just hit the ball as simple as reciting the ABCs. Some of these ladies don't have that towering height but hey they can leap as if they are six-footers and the strength is just awesome. I really appreciate those ladies who have been into the sport and quite giving some serious time in improving their skills. I have been witnessing transformations from the rookies who turned out to be excellent players as seasons go by. 

The likes of Rachel Ann Daquis, Manilla Santos, Michelle Penetrante, Charo Soriano, Aiza Maizo and Angela Benting have been superstars on their own rights they powered their respective teams to what they are now. The league has also produced setters whose volleyball IQ is so amazing. These are the likes of Denisse Tan of UST, Wendy Ann Semana of FEU who can also be a great attacker, Janet Serafica of Adamson and the list goes on. Their contemporaries include, Rhea Dimaculangan of UST, Jem Ferrer of Ateneo, Kim Fajardo of DLSU, Ivy Perez of NU and the wonder lady I really admire among them, Gyzelle Sy of FEU. Season 76 has also a revelation for rookie setters. One of them is Ateneo's Jia Morado.

Volleyball has absolutely taken the center stage and the appreciation of  the Filipino crowd. It has been a growing sport and UAAP has just created a new sporting flavor in the menu. Media mileage has also gotten its hold on the on-going popularity of the sport (thanks to them).

Today, I am very sure MOA arena will be going gaga for the last game of the UAAP season. Crowds in blue and green will surely flock the venue as the arch rival teams try to make history on their own respective sides. And I am one of those who will cheer for the blue, but in the end of the game what matters most will be these girls proving that they hit balls hardly and they can keep our hearts rallying for them behind those hits.

Surely this will be another milestone for volleyball in this country. I'll be preparing the couch, and all hearts out for the BLUE!