BACOLOD City – When one door closes, another one opens. That is the case for Negrense outside hitter Kathleen Kate Aplasca Tan.
Weeks after being unceremoniously dismissed from her previous school here, Tan’s volleyball career got a new lease of life as she was tapped to play for Gracel Christian College Foundation in Taguig City, Metro Manila.
The Bacolod City-native was among the new players unveiled by Gracel head coach Watamama Macalanggan Jr. on the latter’s Facebook account on Wednesday night.
“Dream come true para sa akin na makapaglaro sa Manila, kaya I am happy na nabigyan ako ng chance ni coach Watta (Macalanggan) sa Gracel,” Tan told Panay News. “Hindi ko na talaga sasayangin ang opportunity na ito.”
The volleybelle admitted that it was a painful past few weeks for her after she was informed by her former coach that she was already out of the team. Tan however managed to hold through with the help of people the around her.
“I must admit may mga naging pagkukulang ako sa dati kong team, pero madami rin akong natutunan doon kaya malaki din ang utang na loob ko sa mga former coaches ko,” said Tan.
“(It was) very painful talaga when I was informed na wala na akong spot sa team. I was really devastated. But good thing my family was there to inspire me to strive harder,” she added.
Tan said playing in the “Big City” is not enough for a successful volleyball career. She vowed to double her efforts under the tutelage of Macalanggan, who also works as an assistant coach for the Lyceum Lady Pirates in National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“Alam ko naman po na kailangan ko pang i-push ang sarili ko. Kailangan ko i-double ‘yung efforts ko para naman mapakita na hindi nagkamali si coach Macalanggan sa pagtitiwala sa akin,” she stressed./PN
