Talking to the Maraguinots of Batangas

Talking to the Maraguinots of Batangas

by rick olivares

If you scan the crowd at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex, there’s a familiar face in the stands.

It’s Lovella Maraguinot, mother to Ateneo Lady Eagle Jhoana and current De La Salle Lipa setter, Janela.

She played in the UAAP for Adamson (1991-95) and according to veteran volleyball watchers, is said to have had a lot of power in her spikes. Prior to going to Manila to play for the Lady Falcons, Lovella suited up for De La Salle Lipa.

“Hindi madali nandito sa stands nanonood,” she admitted rather shyly post-DLSL’s win over the University of San Jose Recoletos (in two sets). “Sobrang nerbyos ako for my daughters. Parang mas gusto ko ako naglalaro. Siyempre, you want them to do well. So meron takot pagnagkakamali or kung nasasaktan. Natural lang siguro for a mother.”

Janela on the other hand has embraced the pressure… of her mother being a former DLSL and Adamson star and her big sister making a name for herself in Ateneo.

“Proud ako sa mga na-accomplish nila at sa i-accomplish pa ni ate,” said the bunso who is five years the junior of Jhoana. “Ako naman, I play a different position. Marami rin pressure. Pero sabi nga ni coach (Ronwald Kris Dimaculangan), ‘embrace mo ang pressure kasi ganun talaga – galing sa winning program at sa winning family.’”

The mother admitted that she never pushed her two daughters to take up volleyball. “Hinayaan ko lang sila. Si Jhoana nga nung una, ayaw niya ng volleyball. But ayun – sa kakapanood ng games sa amin, na enganyo. The same for Janela. Lalo na when she was younger – medyo chubby. But ganun din, she grew to love the game.”

The younger daughter admitted that it was a thrill for her as a sixth grader to suit up in the same game as her old sister in the old Shakey’s Girls League Regionals. “Once lang nangyari yun kasi kinuha ako ng team nila ate as a guest player. Enjoy. Cool moment.”

Now there is a possibility that the two will be reunited over at Ateneo. “We’ll see what happens,” said Janela.

“I am proud of my daughters,” pronounced the mother. “Kung tignan mo si Jhoana, two years yan umupo dahil sa grades. Kung ano nagawa niya, pinaghirapan niya yan. Now si Janela naman.”

The mother added too that watching the games makes her feel young. “Exciting na nga yung laro lalo pa dahil nandiyan mga anak ko.”

“I think playing for La Salle Lipa which has a winning program already has pressure,” summed up Janela. “Kahit rebuilding phase kami, meron expectations. Ganun talaga. So I just try to do my best. Yun lang naman dapat lagi.”