Alas first-timer Garcia shows worth as indoor team member
Grateful to realize his dream stint with the Philippine men’s indoor volleyball team, Jude Garcia eyes continuous improvement with Alas Pilipinas heading to the SEA V Cup Leg 2 in Indonesia.
Garcia capped his international indoor debut with eight points to conspire with mainstay Louie Ramirez and first-time national player Joshua Magalaman in Alas’ fifth place-clinching win over Myanmar, 25-21, 28-26, 25-22, on Saturday at the Candon City Arena.
“This win is a huge motivation, not just for me but for the whole team,” said Garcia in Filipino. “We all worked hard for this game, and we also learned a lot from our previous matches. You could really see everyone’s effort.”
“We’ll carry this experience into the second leg. Hopefully, we’ll have an even better result there,” he added.
Garcia and the Filipino Spikers will fly to Jakarta this coming week to continue their preparation for the Asian Games.
The two-time Spikers’ Turf Season MVP, who played in both sides of the wings in the past two conferences, proved his versatility, playing as the opposite hitter in their last game in the Candon leg.
“I’m very comfortable playing opposite now. Basically, my job is to defend, attack and block,” he explained. “My mindset is simple—whenever the ball comes to me, I’ll just do my best.”
The former men’s national beach volleyball player, who won three bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Games, was just grateful to finally play indoor for the Philippines, vowing to even play better and stay committed to the program.
“I’ve been waiting for this chance for a long time, and it finally came,” said Garcia. “As long as I’m here, I’ll cherish every moment and give my best in every game and every practice.”
“As long as I’m being called up to the national team, I’ll keep committing to it. It’s such a big opportunity to be part of Alas and represent the country,” he went on.
“I don’t really think too far ahead. As long as I’m here, I’ll continue to give my full commitment.”
