MANILA – For Ilongga libero Roma Mae Doromal, being part of the Ateneo de Manila University women’s volleyball team is a daydream that turned into reality.
The Dumangas, Iloilo-native Doromal admitted that it was her dream to be part of the defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball champions Lady Eagles but knew it will be a long shot.
“Sobrang blessed and thankful ako to be part of the Ateneo’s women’s volleyball team. It’s my dream school,” Doromal said in an interview with Sports Lang on Sunday night.
“Actually I was just daydreaming when I decided to tryout sa Ateneo but it turned out na nagustuhan din ako ni coach Oliver Almadro,” she added.
Doromal, a former member of National University Lady Bullpups, said she was looking forward to her rookie year with the Lady Eagles in UAAP Season 82 but saddened that it was cut short due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“For me it is frustrating kasi grabe ‘yung preparation namin during the offseason,” Doromal said. “We trained twice a day tuwing morning and after class sa hapon but hindi naman makontrol ang COVID.”
“Happy ako sa ipinakita ko, not bad pero kailangan ko pa mag-improve,” Doromal added, pertaining to her debut matches against teams from the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University. “Siguro more on being aggressive and ‘yung maturity pa.”/PN
