FILE – Jovelyn Gonzaga for the Black Mamba Army. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Excited to win bronze with the Philippines women’s beach volleyball team, Jovelyn Gonzaga hopes to inspire injured players on her return to the Black Mamba Army in the Soccer League. English Premier League (PVL) Invitationals on July 9 at the San Juan Arena.
After skip the season opening having yet to host the 31st Southeast Asian Games, an inspirational Gonzaga is reporting to the Women’s Army, who hope to return from seventh place in the 2022 Open Conference.
“Now that I have received a medal, it is my childhood dream. I want more. I wanted to finish better,” said the veteran Filipino striker as she delivered a valuable experience from the sands.
Gonzaga, who tried to win a medal with the Philippine women’s volleyball team from the 2015 to 2019 SEA Games but missed the podium, said her recent achievements along with teammate Dij Rodriguez and teammates Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons boosted her morale after a difficult journey through an ACL injury this past 2017.
“Some people think my career is over after an injury (five years ago). But here I hope to be able to set an example for everyone that nothing is impossible and that anyone can overcome (career-threatening) trauma,” she said. “Look at me now, I got my (dream) medal even after all that’s happened in my career.”
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Philippine women’s beach volleyball teams. PHOTOS BVR
The 30-year-old striker dubbed ‘Bionic Ilongga’ hopes to live up to her team’s expectations after playing beach volleyball. But her transition from sand to back to taraflex wasn’t easy.
“My goal is to help my team because we all know what happened with the last Army conference. Gonzaga said as much as possible, my team is expecting me to be in top form after the SEA Games.
“It was hard for my body. Because I got used to the softness of the sand and now I’m back to playing with hardcourt. It’s the challenging part, but in terms of skills and conditions it’s okay,” she added.
Another challenge for Gonzaga is taking on greater leadership and scoring responsibility for the Lady Troopers as her teammate Royse Tubino, along with Lut Malaluan, chose to skip the mid-season conference for reasons due to their Army schooling.
She’s also adjusting to playing with newcomers from the last conference led by moderators Ivy Perez and Mich Morente.
“I really hope to help my team as we will miss Royse’s leadership very much. My focus is on building a strong connection with Ivy,” said Gonzaga. “Connecting with our new players isn’t that hard since we live in the same (headquarters). We are getting to know each other every day. And so far, Ivy is willing to learn and be flexible.”
“We are working on a lot of things in our team. Hopefully everything will be fine when we play,” she added.
Gonzaga will return to the action indoors with Army facing her former team Cignal, led by her best friend Rachel Anne Daquis, at 2:30 p.m. before the Chery Tiggo-Choco Mucho match .
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