In an era where she competed against the likes of Jack Animam, Rhena Itesi, and Clare Castro in the UAAP, Snow Penaranda is battle-ready come the start of the Women’s National Basketball League later this year.
“Siyempre sobrang saya kasi I was selected,” shared the Tondo native after she was chosen by Pacific Water with the sixth pick in the WNBL Draft last February 13, 2021.
“Pero before mag start, excited ako for us mga players kasi nga first time in history dito sa Philippines magkaroon ng pro league para sa mga women’s basketball then when the time ma’am Rhose (Montreal) called my name mas na-excite ako kasi new team na and pro league na nga.”
Penaranda started her journey as with Adamson and ended with La Salle in her college basketball career. It was no doubt a fruitful endeavor for the 28-year-old as she got Mythical Five gongs in UAAP Seasons 75 and 79 and a championship in Season 73.
“Nung first time ko mag laro sa UAAP, sobrang na excite ako and at the same time kinabahan kasi yung mga makakalaban ko ay mga veterans na pero because of them mas na inspired pa ko pag butihan every game ko para mabigyan ko sila nang magandang laban and para din mas mag-improve ako,” she said.
Finishing her collegiate run as a Lady Archer, in particular, was memorable for Penaranda. While a championship with the Green and White proved to be elusive, her stay was still memorable nonetheless.
“Yung disiplina sa training like training palang dapat 100-percent all out na ko para pag dating sa game dala-dala ko na yung same effort, intensity and high energy na ginagawa ko sa training,” she explained.
“Sobrang big help ni coach Cholo (Villanueva) sa akin. He taught me how to balance everything in my life, like sa basketball career and pati mga decision making ko, sa kanya din ako nang hihingi nang advice until now. Sa kanya parin ako nanghihingi nang advice for my career, kaya sobrang thankful kami kasi naging coach namen sya, para na din namen syang second father para sa aming Lady Archers.”
For his part, Villanueva is proud to see another DLSU alumna who is set to play in the WNBL. She may have been teammates with them before but Penaranda is set to go up against the likes of Camille Claro and Khate Castilo, who are with the Glutagence Glow Boosters.
“Being part of the Lady Archers has a high standard for being student-athletes where being a student always comes first. The WNBL was just icing on the cake and a dream fulfilled but graduating from DLSU and leading a competitive team was the first priority,” said the 6-foot-1 mentor.
“We haven’t won a lot of championships but we develop skilled players who can play at the professional level. We instill in them a relentless work ethic to achieve their goals. Most importantly we create positive members of society and good individuals.”
With women’s basketball in the Philippines targeting growth amidst being in the shadow of the men’s game, it is no surprise that a lot of WNBL players made sure to finish their college degrees to secure their futures. Penaranda, who currently works as a personal trainer, simply followed the trend.
“It was so important kasi DLSU was my dream school and graduating there is such a big thing. Tapos I had the best coach and teammates pa. Complete package kung baga,” she said.
“Siyempre mahirap. Training sa umaga, class sa hapon hanggang gabi. Pero we were taught always na student comes first before athlete. Kaya di kami pwede petiks sa pag-aaral. Sobrang nakatulong to sakin now in real life. I can balance work and things that I love such as basketball.”
Penaranda stated that she hopes to fulfill her duties on the hardcourt with Pacific Water with her responsibilities outside of it. While the country is still under lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19, she has been busy working out at home using her long bars, plates, and punching bag.
“Yes, kaya ko naman i-balance yung work and basketball career ko. Like what I’ve said before, coach Cholo taught us how to balance everything in our life, if nasa work ako focus lang muna ko sa work pag tapos na ko sa work, when I step on the court, basketball naman ako mag-fofocus.”
Ultimately, Penaranda will be one of more than 100 lady hoopers who are itching to show their skills to Filipino sports fans. She not only has big dreams for herself but for her fellow players.
“Yung mapakita namen mga babae sa buong Pilipinas kung pano maglaro ng basketball ang mga babae, na kaya din naman mga babae mag laro nang basketball.”
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