A product of Cebu, Shiela Kiseo returned to play in her hometown for the PLDT High Speed Hitters during the penultimate provincial stop of the PVL on Tour.
CEBU CITY — For Shiela Kiseo, there is so much more to her volleyball career than just points and stats.
Rather, she brings the aspirations of the next generation of players from the Queen City of the South as a proud Bisaya back in her hometown for the PVL on Tour.
Having reached her dreams thanks to the support of her community, Kiseo said that she’s eager to show a side that only Cebuanos have.
While popular belief may frame Cebu natives as brash or “makakapal ang mukha”, Kiseo believes it has become the source of her budding confidence as she finds her role in a talented team like the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
“Yes, opo, sobrang dala dala ko po talaga ['yung identity ko] as a Cebuano. Sobrang proud ako na Bisaya ako, bisayang dako,” Kiseo told One Sports.
“Kasi syempre, Cebuanos [are] known as ‘isug’ na tao, matapang na tao. Mga makakapal ang mukha… So 'yun 'yung isa sa mga bitbit ko na as a Cebuano, nafi-feel ko 'yung confidence... kasi 'di ba, ganun 'yung Cebuanos eh, marunong silang tumayo sa sarili nila,” she added.
A hotbed of volleyball talent across all levels, Kiseo also hopes that the continued rise of the sport in the country and in their region serves as inspiration for the next generation of athletes.
Knowing how it felt back then to see her volleyball idols play, Kiseo is looking forward to have the same effect for the younger players this time—especially those who came to see them play at the University of San Jose-Recoletos on Saturday.
Despite seeing limited action for the High Speed Hitters, Kiseo is happy to be able to contribute in her own way to their victory, which also guaranteed them an outright spot in the quarterfinals.
“Sobrang laking impact nito sa kapwa Cebuanos ko na nangangarap din kagaya ko… Makukuha din nila 'yung mga 'ganon din ako dati!' 'yung parang, kilig na kilig ako 'pag nakikita ko sila Ate Mika [Reyes],” said Kiseo.
“Sobrang laking impact din kasi parang mafi-feel ko rin na ang sarap pala maglaro, lalo na 'pag 'yung dinadala mo na team is 'yung pangarap mo, tapos maglalaro ka sa hometown mo. So sobrang laking impact sakanila na mas ipush pa talaga 'yung self na marating talaga 'yung pangarap nila soon.”
With still a game left before she wraps up her short but sweet stint in her hometown, Kiseo hopes to see more of her kababayans sharing the love for her sport and supporting her team.
“Sobrang thankful and honored din po ako kasi syempre hindi rin po ako makakarating sa pangarap ko kung hindi rin dahil sa Cebu. So, thank you Cebuanos sa supporta niyo, sobrang randam po namin ng team, PLDT Family,” she said.
“I hope na hindi po kayo magsasawa supportahan kami hanggang bukas and nawa’y magkita-kita pa rin tayo tomorrow.” she continued.
Kiseo and the High Speed Hitters gun for a perfect 5-0 record in pool play when they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Sunday.