MANILA, Philippines – Aby Maraño knows how intense.
The star mid-blocker who popularized the college-level “beast mode” has high standards for what qualifies as intense or passionate.
And she sees that in the current version of the women’s national team, which is hoping to finally take the podium at the Southeast Asian Games later this month.
“Of all the national teams I’ve been on, this one is the most intense,” Maraño said Wednesday during a mid-afternoon farewell to the national volleyball teams in Taguig City. .
“Every day of practice we had, every scenario, everyone hit the ball so hard; no one wastes [opportunities to go for a kill] and no one stores energy,” she added. “We’re really competing with each other for our places, and it’s a healthy competition between us.”
The women’s team returned from training camp in Brazil, where the team participated in friendly matches against local teams and acquitted themselves.
Maraño, who will be on the national team again, said the training camp in Brazil had trained their solidarity and willingness to work together for the national cause.
“No matter what club or team you’re from, once the national team calls, you have to be prepared and ready to socialize with your teammates,” said former La Salle celebrity. “When you come from different clubs, you need to develop a team that helps each other, cares for each other and has teamwork.”
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