Among a number of Cebuano-born players in the PVL, Krich Macaslang went full circle after helping the Nxled Chameleons clinch a quarters spot in her hometown.
The Nxled Chameleons went into Sunday’s contest against the Farm Fresh Foxies with a mission: to prove that they belong in the league after seeing their three-game win streak stopped at the hands of PLDT the day before.
But for Krich Macaslang, it was more than just bringing her team to the next level.
Her motivation was deeply rooted in where the games were being held. Being a native of Sabang, Danao in the province of Cebu, playing in Cebu City was a big source of why she wanted to show out more than normal.
In front of scores of adoring fans at the University of San Jose-Recoletos Coliseum, Macaslang and the Nxled Chameleons headed to their first quarterfinals ever in the league in franchise history, dominating the Foxies in a three-set sweep.
[READ: Nxled stops red-hot Farm Fresh to clinch maiden quarters berth in PVL on Tour]
“Nothing can compare to this feeling kasi especially me, kasi I’m a Cebuano so I really wanted to give them a good fight, a good game, and parang by God’s will, we did achieve our goal today,” Macaslang said.
“And sabi ko nga sa mga past interviews, it’s a familiar feeling pero iba na nga 'yung level ngayon kasi it’s a higher level, it’s not 'yung Cebu league lang and I’m really proud as a Cebuana to be playing in the PVL,” she added.
On a more personal note, Macaslang is hopeful of what the future may bring for her fellow Cebuanas.
After two days of displaying high-level volleyball to a full house in USJ-R, Macaslang said that her kababayans now had solid proof that she, along with other players from the province, can make it anywhere as long as they put their mind to it.
Eager to prove themselves, Macaslang said that it was a sign that athletes from their hometown could go toe-to-toe with anyone.
“Hopefully, really big. I want to be, me and my fellow Cebuanas, we want to be a role model. We want to show the sport community that Cebuanos and Cebuanas can do it, na we have a place also in the professional league,” she said.
Adding another layer of impact for Macaslang is that she is one of the few remaining original Nxled Chameleons still in the roster as the once cellar-dwellers are now proving themselves to be a legitimate contender.
Though still in the offseason, there was much gratification for Macaslang to be able to see it to fruition.
“Parang I feel like I’m a rookie. Alam mo 'yung feeling na bago lahat. Like this feeling na you craved for for a long time and now, craving satisfied,” she said.
Now, Macaslang and the Nxled Chameleons are in for a lengthy layoff as they wait for the results of the knockout play-in matches beginning this weekend.
Nxled’s foes in its first-ever quarterfinals game will be determined by the results of the play-in.