Alas Pilipinas' Dell Palomata was the recipient of one of the Best Middle Blocker awards at the AVC Nations Cup.
Alas Pilipinas’ middle blocker Dell Palomata exuded humility as she opened up about winning her first-ever Best Middle Blocker award in the international stage when she was named to the Mythical Team at the AVC Nations Cup last weekend.
That is, Palomata was quick to brush off any personal achievement despite winning the award, and that she was able to perform at that level, thanks to the coaching staff’s system and her teammates all conniving for the best situation for her.
[READ: Dell Palomata and co. reflect on historic silver for Alas Pilipinas in AVC Nations Cup]
“Sa akin, [ginawa ko lang] 'yung normal ko lang na galaw, yung work ko po as a middle blocker, magtitiwala po ako sa system ng coaches kung ano man yung pinapagawa sa akin, ipo-process ko din po,” Palomata said of her recent feat at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
“Hindi ko naman makukuha yung best middle blocker ko kung hindi sa tulong ng teammates and coaches ko. [Ginawa ko lang ay] work hard, trabaho lang talaga, kung ano pong mabibigay ko sa team na makakaangat sa system ng team yun po ang para sa akin.”
Palomata was modest, as she ended up rising to the occasion in the middle even as Alas Pilipinas was flanked with high-scoring attackers on the wings — like UAAP superstars Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Shaina Nitura.
PVL pros like Eya Laure and Vanie Gandler were also able to get themselves going with Alas.
But as far as Palomata was concerned, her teammates did nothing but help her re-center when she felt lost within herself. The middle blocker saw the team as collaborators instead of competitors for points and for touches.
“Siguro yung help nila sa akin through [the] AVC tournament kasi minsan parang nawawala na rin ako sa wisyo ko sinasabihan nila ako na kaya ko, kaya ko pa lumaban," Palomata said.
“Malaking bagay na rin sa akin yun as a role ko na middle blocker," she added.
During their silver medal run, Alas Pilipinas were able to utilize well both their wings and middle blockers, with skipper Jia De Guzman leading the offensive game plan.
Palomata and the rest of Alas will hope to continue the same level of intensity and efficiency when they return quickly for the upcoming VTV Cup, also in Vietnam, which will pit Alas anew against the Vietnamese in their group.
Alas lost against Vietnam in the AVC Nations Cup final in three sets.