ILONGGA setter Marianne Sotomil cannot hide her excitement after she was lined up by the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons for the 2018 Premier V-League Collegiate Conference.
The Pavia, Iloilo native Sotomil said she is thankful to the trust given to her by Lady Maroons head coach Godfrey Okumu and promise to give her all if she will be inserted in the match.
“Sobrang excited po ako lalo na noong malaman ko na nasama ako sa lineup,” Sotomil told Buzzer Beater on Friday. “Nagpapasalamat ako kay coach na isinama ako sa lineup kahit na bago lang ako sa team.”
Sotomil added that she is still in adjustment stage as her environment now is way different that when she was still playing for St. Joseph School in Iloilo and Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
“Nag–a-adjust pa rin kasi ibang-iba talaga dito sa UP, bukod sa may iba pang mas magagaling na players sa team. Basta ako I am doing my best sa practice and be always ready lang,” she said.
While the Collegiate Conference officially started yesterday at the San Juan Arena, Lady Maroons will not make its debut until July 28 where it will face University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas.
ILONGGO IN ASEAN SCHOOL GAMES
Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano returns to international basketball scene as he banners the Philippine squad that will compete in the 2018 ASEAN School Games starting July 21 in Malaysia.
Abadiano, who was part of the Batang Gilas squad that finished on 13th place in the 2018 FIBA U-17 World Cup recently, said he was thrilled to represent the country anew in the international stage.
“Of course masaya ako to represent the country again sa international competitions,” said the Iloilo City native Abadiano. “Hopefully makatulong ako sa team to go all the way.”
“Last year we placed second in the ASEAN School Games so we are hoping that this time around ay papalarin na kaming mag-gold,” added the former St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets standout.
Aside from Abadiano, two more players from Western Visayas are joining the squad – Reyland Torres of Bago City, Negros Occidental and Harold Alarcon of Bacolod City.
Also part of the delegation are Abadiano’s Batang Gilas teammates Terrence Fortea and Carl Tamayo, and Aaron Buensalida, Vince Cuajao, Dom Dayrit, John Felicida, Cyril Gonzales, Kevin Quiambao, and Joshua Ramirez.
The delegation, mostly composed of players from National University Bullpups, had the opportunity to represent the country after ruling the 2018 Palarong Pambansa basketball event in Ilocos Sur.
The Philippine squad will be competing against the best young talents from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand./PN
