By MARK REY MONTEJO
Soft-spoken, cheerful, and charming are the traits normally characterize a girl from Negros Occidental, especially from Bacolod City.
But make no mistake about it, Joan Monares is not just about beauty, she possesses a very competitive spirit.
In short, she’s a ‘palaban’.
Small wonder, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are enjoying a new-found confidence with Monares leading the way.
With her gung-ho type of attitude, the Fighting Maroons are making heads turn after winning their first two games – none bigger than the team’s stunning win over the fancied FEU Lady Tamaraws.
Monares, 23, even stressed that their early wins were not due to mere luck but the result of their sacrifices – extended hours at the gym included – and sheer determination to make good and turn their fortunes around.
“I’m happy kasi napanalo namin ‘yong second game namin, and hindi ‘yon tyamba. Kasi we work on that, really hard, for it during the training,” said Monares.
“I’m happy and proud na lumabas ‘yon sa laro namin kanina. Lahat kami naghirap, tinrabaho namin ‘yong kada point,” she added. “This game is just a stepping stone para mas ma-reach namin ‘yong mas mataas na level ng laro namin and we’re hoping po talaga sa magandang finish this season.”
The 5-foot-10 outside hitter stood out in the team’s exhilarating 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 win over the Tin Ubaldo-led Lady Tamaraws last Wednesday, Feb. 19, where she tallied 19 points on 17 kills and two aces along with eight excellent digs.
Aside from eclipsing her 17-point output in their victory over the UE Red Warriors last weekend, Monares helped the Maroons match their total wins the past two seasons.
Notably, UP’s triumph over FEU marked its first win against the Lady Tamaraws since June 2022 (Season 84’s second round).
Barring injuries, Monares is more than determined to make up this time after missing action last season due to injury.
And thanks to the guidance of coach Benson Bocboc and the support of rookie Kianne Olango, Nina Ytang and Irah Jaboneta, Monares is hopeful they can shed the ugly tag of “whipping girls” in the league in due time.
“Ni-remind lang kami ni coach (Benson) na wag kaming bumitaw, and kahit kaming mga players sa loob, kailangan namin i-remind ‘yong bawat isa na dapat i-angat namin ‘yong laro and energy namin,” she added.
