Graze Bombita should have been part of a stacked Motolite team last year.
However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced Motolite to fold, leaving its players to free agency.
An opportunity came knocking on the 30-year-old’s door — an opportunity to come back home to BaliPure, her team two years ago.
“Sa part ko, may gusto talagang bumawi sa BaliPure. Hindi na kasi iba sa akin si Sir Gil [Cortez]. Sabi nga niya, parang anak na niya ko. Mas magiging komportable talaga ako na babalik ako sa BaliPure,” said Bombita, who was also courted by Choco Mucho and Cignal.
“Thankful ako sa management ng BaliPure, lalo na kay Sir Gil, na binigyan nila ako ng second chance.”
Bombita signed with BaliPure back on March 16.
During her last time out with the Purest Water Defenders, BaliPure finished in eighth place during the 2019 Open Conference.
This time around, the field will be much deeper with the addition of Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Sta. Lucia, and F2 Logistics.
Bombita remains unfazed by the competition that lies ahead. After all, it’s a dream come true for every volleyball player to be called professionals and to be under one roof.
“Actually, to be honest, hindi ako kinakabahan. Mas na-excite ako kasi mas masusukat ‘yung level ng laro ng bawat isa. Lahat paghahandaan mo. Isa siya sa mga motivation ko na mag-times four na trabaho. ‘Yung advantage nila is matagal na sila magkakasama tapos kami, bago lang,” expressed Bombita, a product of University of Nueva Caceres.
“Ang kinaganda sa BaliPure ngayon ay mas bata kami at mas magiging masaya ang samahan namin. Exciting kahit nakaka-challenge. Natutuwa ako na nasa isang liga na lang kaming lahat.”
It will be a new BaliPure team after all as only Bombita, Satriani Espiritu, and Shirley Salamagos remain from the 2019 team.
Despite their youth, Coach John Abella wants to see much activity in defending the floor from his new team.
“Sa akin, kailangan ko ma-improve ‘yung defense ko, lalo na sa receive. Kailangan namin lalo palakasin ‘yung depensa namin. Sabi nga ni Coach John na okay na ‘yung opensa namin, pero sa depensa kami mananalo,” shared Bombita.
For her part, Bombita will also be entrusted into an unfamiliar role this time around — being the face and the leader of BaliPure.
It’s a role she embraces wholeheartedly.
“Lagi kong iniisip na kailangan present ako lagi both physically and mentally. Kailangan ko suportahan ‘yung mga kasama ko hindi lang sa court, lalo ngayong pandemic. Kailangan lagi ako nandun para sa kanila. Sa court namin, kailangan namin punan ang kulang ng bawat isa.”
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