Chatting with Hope Christian High School’s Mycah Go

Chatting with Hope Christian High School’s Mycah Go

Q: Hope Christian High School has made a name for itself in girls volleyball and for producing top-notch players. Did you know that going to Manila?

Mycah: Actually di po masyado. But alam ko itong school na ito because kina Justine Dorog, Mae Basarte, and Isa Molde. Sila yung idols ko noon pa and alam ko marami silang championships na nakuha. Mas nalaman ko (yung history) nung maging under na ako ni Coach Jerry (Yee) here sa Hope.

Q: Coach Jerry said that this was a young team that was fielded in the Rebisco Volleyball League. You did pretty well in my opinion as the team made the semi-finals. Can you share the team’s mindset going into the tourney?

Mycah: A week before RVL, I was super excited kasi first time namin mag-nationals representing Hope. Well, of course, nag-ayos kami sa training kasi gusto namin manalo. Andun yung determination and eagerness namin to win and especially di naman magpapahuli yung kaba.

Q: How big was it to make the semi-finals considering not much was expected from the team? What can you take away from the tournament?

Mycah: We’re happy na pumasok kami sa semi-finals. Sino ba naman hindi happy – buong Pilipinas ata hehe. Though nung semis, nakalaban namin mga malalakas na teams na kaya ayun din siguro yung reason kung bakit hindi namin nakuha yung gusto namin.

Nagusap kami ng team. Sabi namin, kahit natalo pero at least meron kami natutunan ng madami. Kahit nakakalungkot na wala kaming nauwi (na trophy), pero happy pa rin kami and sabi ng iba lumaban din naman kami. And mas nagging happy kami nung may sinabi si coach sa amin.

Q: Where are you from? Why volleyball as a sport? Who inspired you to play the game?

Mycah: I am from Bogo City in Cebu. It is a family sport I think. Sabi ng dad ko, “Pag di ka nag-volleyball magagalit si Tito Frankie mo, sige ka.” That was way back in Grade 6. Nung pumasok na ako ng volleyball I was in Grade 7 at Southwestern University. Super newbie ako na di marunong at walang alam. Bangko or hindi na-line-up. From Grade 7-9, nandyan yung mga tao nag-down sa akin. Sabi nila “Heto yung bulok. Di marooning. Bangko lang…” Basta ganun yung mga naririnig ko. So when Coach Jerry got me, I went to Manila and started a new life and everything nag-start dito. Ayoko sasabihin “Manila na di pa rin nag-improve.”

Siyempre, si God and mga parents ko naghirap para sa akin and wala akong masukli. Di naman puwede yun. So siguro sa mga taong ganun na-inspire ako to play.

Q: Can you share one last anecdote about HCHS during the RVL?

Mycah: Yung lumaban kami pero natalo kami sa battle for third place. Sobrang lungkot naming and tahimik sa dug out then biglang nag chat si Coach sa amin na-motivate kami (kasi wala siya nun). Ayun. Happy na kami. Umiyak pa kami sa saya.

Chenae Basarte (left) and Mycah Go (right) during the Rebisco Volleyball League opening.

The Lagdameos: A contrast in watching their son's Xavier hoops games

The Lagdameos: A contrast in watching their son's Xavier hoops games

by rick olivares

The Cherifer Smart Breakdown Basketball Invitationals 12-Under match between De La Salle Zobel and Xavier School last Thursday, November 30, was a close one. The latter looked to blow out the former early in the game when they took a 10-point lead. But the DLSZ Junior Archers came roaring back to notch the count thrice and keep pace with the Golden Stallions.

For the Xavier squad, there was a curious but animated spectator who stood time and again and cheered her lungs out.

It was actress Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo whose son, Jacobo was playing for Xavier. “It feels good to be a spectator for a change,” she later quipped. “But you have to pardon me because I get all excited and emotional – in the good way.”

Close by was her husband Congressman Anton Lagdameo (of Davao Del Norte) who was the polar opposite – cool, calm, and quiet.

However, the lawmaker explained his being quiet. “I cannot play basketball. I never learned. It’s a good thing I don’t know how to play or else I might be interfering with the coach or tell my son what to do at ma-istorbo pa sila. I played some football but that was it. It is my son who is passionate about the game.”

“We try to watch every game time and commitments permitting,” added Zulueta-Lagdameo. “We understand that our son puts a lot of pressure on himself. In Xavier, it is difficult to balance academics with sports so we balance our expectations. And we know that our son works hard.”

“We just try to be positive and not be like others who curse and yell at the sons or the coach or even other players. We want to be a positive influence on our son.”

Jacobo is 12 years old and despite his young age, he watches what basketball there is on television or YouTube. Shared the congressman, “Bonding time for my son and I is also talking basketball. For the life of me, I do not know the personalities involved. It is my son who teaches me who’s who and how the game is played. And I just listen; I am fascinated by his passion and when I see that I just want to support him all the more.”

Against DLSZ (Xavier won 58-50), in 10 minutes of play, Jacobo recorded a rebound, an assist, and a steal. “I am glad he was able to contribute in his own small way,” said Lagdameo. “For sure on the way home, he will share his stories from the bench.”

The congressman also shared the time about a year ago when Jacobo was bringing down the ball when his guard tripped on himself. Jacobo stopped dribbling, helped up his fallen opponent then continued to dribble. “I know it is not something that is done during competition,” noted Lagdameo. “It was both a funny and proud moment for us as parents.”

“I wasn’t much of a sports person,” clarified Zulueta-Lagdameo. “From my standpoint, and just watching but then it was useless because you will only hear my voice. So I told my husband who is the collected one, ‘you video, and I will cheer’. I am too excitable.”

Meet De La Salle Lipa’s Alleiah Jan Malaluan.

Meet De La Salle Lipa’s Alleiah Jan Malaluan.

photo from Volleyball Ph

Q: Tell us something about yourself.

Alleiah: I am a positive thinker who is determined to reach my goals and am determined to have a successful professional volleyball career.

I was born and raised here in Lipa City, Batangas. (Right now) I am 15 years old, Grade 9 and am studying at De La Salle Lipa.

When I was in Grade 2, the year I started playing volleyball, the sport was already popular in the country. My elementary coach saw my potential because of my height and dedication to train every day.

Q: In your young career, what has been your most memorable moment and why? Can you share an anecdote?

Alleiah: We won three national championship titles -- the Shakey’s Girls V-League Championship two years ago and two Palarong Pambansa championships.

My first Palaro gold medal was when I was in Grade 6 and the tournament was held in Tagum City, Davao. As for a gold medal moment which I consider to be the most memorable, this was when we (Calabarzon) won the championship in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa in Antique.

We were down by two sets but we refused to give up! We came back to win in five sets. It helped me be more confident!

Q: Who are your favorite volleyball players and why?

Alleiah: My favorite volleyball players ae Alyssa Valdez and Jovelyn Gonzaga. My teammates give me inspiration every time inside the court; they boost my confidence. I also owe a lot to our coaches for their untiring dedication and support. Without them, my teammates and I wouldn’t be where we are right now.

Q: Are you graduating from high school? Have you made any college plans?

Alleiah: Since I am still in Junior High, my focus is to complete them. For college, I have no definite plans yet. Although there are universities who are already contacting us, we cannot give any definite response as I would like to enjoy and cherish what I am experiencing right now.

Q: Can you share an anecdote about the recently concluded Rebisco Volleyball League.

Alleiah: In the recently held Rebisco Volleyball League. We were the underdog in the championship battle against NU. We do not have the height and the exposure that the UAAP schools have. But we showed the league that we (DLSL) are one and work as a team. We know how to play happily. This for me already equates what a champion team should be.