Akari's Bea Bonafe embraced the spotlight in her first start as setter, steering the Chargers past the Petro Gazz Angels to secure a PVL on Tour quarterfinal berth.
Akari’s sweep of Petro Gazz on Tuesday night didn’t just secure a spot in the PVL on Tour quarterfinals—it also marked a career milestone for Bea Bonafe.
Making her first-ever start as a setter, Bonafe orchestrated the Chargers' offense with poise, dishing out 14 excellent sets in their 32-30, 25-22, 25-19 victory at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
For the 24-year-old playmaker, who started over the injured Kamille Cal, the bigger picture wasn’t just about the numbers, it was finally having her time to shine.
“It feels like I won a championship. Ganun ‘yung feeling,” Bonafe said during the post-game press conference. “Sobrang saya po and hindi ko magagawa ‘yon kung wala sina coach tsaka sina ate kasi lahat sila naniwala po sa’kin.”
But that confidence didn’t come overnight. Bonafe revealed that she began her volleyball career as a middle blocker in De La Salle Zobel before coach Tina Salak saw something different in her.
“It was very big leap,” she said, recalling the transition. “Kasi, in high school, I was a middle blocker. So, and then from then on, after I graduated, coach Tina said to try being a setter.”
“So, ever since, that’s like five years past na po 'yun. I went to Creamline, and si coach Tina pa rin nagsasabi kong mag-setter ka. Kaya mo ‘yan. Kaya mo ‘yan. And so now, nandito na ako, learning from coach T, and also coach Vince [Mangulabnan], and everyone.”
[ALSO READ: Bea Bonafe finds fresh PVL start in move to Akari: ‘It’s time for me to pursue my personal goals’]
Still, stepping into the spotlight was no easy feat, especially after her move from Creamline to Akari. Bonafe credited her teammates for making the adjustment smoother than expected.
“In training, coach Tina said something about the support systems. So, I was able to break through the day because of my teammates,” she said. “Lahat ng bola na binibigay ko sa training, ina-adjust na nila ate.”
“Kahit anong bola ‘yan, kahit pagod na sila, adjust pa rin, adjust hanggang makuha ko ‘yung confidence ko. ‘Yung breakthrough na to, dahil kina ate ko, dahil din sa coaches,” she added.
Bonafe will look to continue her strong outing when the Chargers battle the Cignal HD Spikers in the quarterfinals on Thursday, August 7.