A conversation with Discovery Perlas' Melissa Jacob

A conversation with women’s national team player Melissa Jacob

Rick: Hi, MJ! How’s it going?

MJ: Hi, Rick. Am feeling great. I can’t complain. (laughs)

Rick: How were you recruited to play for the national team?

MJ: I played in the 2007 SEA Games, I felt as though I did not play as well as I could have. I made a promise to myself that if I ever got another opportunity to play for the Philippines again, I would. I kept in contact with coach Haydee and a few players, I found out about SEABA and I had already planned a vacation here in Feb, so while I was here I went to practice and asked coach if I could join the team again. She said I would have to try out and stay to practice with the team and that nothing is guaranteed. Luckily, things worked out.

Rick: Was it difficult adjusting to the local and international brand of play? What adjustments did you have to make?

MJ: From the SEA games, I knew what to expect this time around. The physicality and the speed to which the international game is played takes a bit of getting used to. Players are very physical and very fast.

Rick: Describe the experience playing for the national team? What game will you fondly look back on?

MJ: I just feel an overwhelming sense of pride. We had training trips in Australia and Qatar and had Filipino supporters out to watch our games, the sense of pride that they showed was infectious and I'm truly humbled that I got to represent the country. I felt as though in 07, the Fil-Ams were a bit isolated from the rest of the team and were here such a short period of time. This time around I was able to bond and form relationships with my teammates, I got to see and experience what its like to be a Filipino as opposed to a foreigner in the Philippines and I enjoyed that very much.

I don't think there is one game, I think it’s the collection of games and the way we played. Looking at our team and comparing ourselves to Malaysia or Thailand, we look like the underdogs. But the way we executed offensively and defensively and the heart that we showed is something I will never forget.

Rick: What's your best moment playing for the nationals?

MJ: The best moment for me was standing on the podium with my teammates, with the gold medals around our necks, all of us holding hands and lifting them up and the championship trophy up at the same time. That was an amazing moment.

Rick: What are your plans now? Are you going back to the US?

MJ: My plans as of now is to see the Philippines, I'm in Iloilo right now and have trips lined up for Bohol, Palawan, Boracay and Alaminos, Pangasinan (where my family is from). I leave Dec 27th to go back to the States. The Fiba Asia in August, then the SEA Games in November or December, there's a very good chance that I will return for those. I will talk to Coach Haydee and (Tita) Cynthia Tiu.