The decision was harder than it looked for Mars and Jolina.
It's no secret that the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers has been a welcome home for the graduates of the De La Salle Lady Spikers.
At least ten players listed for the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference hailed from Taft. Head coach Regine Diego is a former Lady Spiker. Trainer Noel Orcullo was an assistant coach for La Salle during UAAP Season 85.
Emotions were overflowing when legendary tactician Ramil de Jesus finally made his appearance for the Lady Spikers and the Cargo Movers this year.
Players from F2 Logistics, used to wearing bright yellow in the pro league, readily raised the green flag during the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball finals, which La Salle won.
Many thought it was a done deal for the Lady Spikers to move up to the Cargo Movers when they decided to turn pro.
That was not the case for UAAP Season 85 Best Setter Mars Alba and Best Outside Spiker Jolina dela Cruz.
They told One Sports' The Game on Friday that the Lady Spikers did receive offers from other squads.
"May mga nagka-interest sa amin from other teams. Pinakinggan naman namin sila," dela Cruz shared.
"Sobrang thankful namin na naglatag sila ng ganung plano, knowing na 'yung teams na 'yun, marami na rin narating."
The most stressful part, probably, was that they only had two weeks to decide, fresh after winning the UAAP championship.
"Very stressful! 'Di talaga kami nakatulog," Alba described. "Kasi 'yung decision na gagawin namin, very big talaga. Parang work na rin 'yun eh."
But the Animo bloodline eventually won out.
They're not taking it easy despite the familiar faces and familiar treads.
"'Di kami nagpapatakbo ng team dito. 'Yung comfort zone namin, lumabas na kami. Iba na 'to," dela Cruz admitted.
The Cargo Movers have bolstered their ranks with another award winner, UAAP Season 85 Best Opposite Spiker Jov Fernandez of the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
The bronze medalists of the first PVL conference have been drawn in Group B, and will face a crowded field of All-Filipino Conference runner-up Petro Gazz Angels, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, the Cignal HD Spikers, as well as expansion squad Farm Fresh Foxies, and returning competitive team Foton Tornadoes.
Only the top two teams in the group will advance to the semifinals, where there will be another round robin against two foreign teams. The PVL Invitational Conference will begin on June 27.