The Dynamic Duo

CEBU, Philippines – Number 13 is considered bad luck but fate has it that on the 13th year staging of the Nestea Beach Volley National Circuit in Boracay, lady luck smiled at the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation girl duo for taking home the first crown as the champion in the women’s division with Manila’s best, UAAP champs from the Adamson University bowed down during the final match!

After they advanced from the Visayas eliminations held at the Parkmall in Mandaue City, they were faced with a much bigger feat against the Philippines’ best spikers. It was her second chance to earn tickets to fame while her partner was a rookie. They were against all odds but the universe was with them!

Three days after the exhilarating championship match, USP-F volleyball varsity belles Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum were still on Cloud 9 while being interviewed by this writer. Traces of the game were still visible – tanned yet their faces lit up, bodies are quite exhausted yet in high spirits. Nineteen-year-old Verano (from Banawa) found her perfect match in 17-year-old Saraum. While it was Verano’s second visit to the island paradise to go head to head with the best of the best, it was only last week’s tilt the team brought honor to their school…sans the sunblock.

The USP-F varsity team has long been in search of Verano’s perfect pair to finally ace in the much-awaited intercollegiate tourney. When first year electronic communications engineering student Saraum came along, they knew they hit the jackpot. Saraum who is 5’5” in height is naturally playful and aggressive – these two characteristics contribute much on her performance in the court with digs/dives, overhand serves and blocks so commendable, drawing “wows” from the crowd. Saraum (of Mandaue) was thrilled and got the jitters when paired with her idol Verano, yet she enjoyed that minor achievement. On the other hand, fourth year Commerce student Verano, considered as the school’s best volley player, has mastered tricky attacks/spikes and proper handling/receiving of the ball. Yes, they clicked!

Both are volleyball devotees and so obsessed with the game. Verano recalled how she got acquainted with the sport through her elder sister Yvonne, former university varsity player, when she was in fifth grade. After getting her mom’s approval to finally join the City Central School’s volley team, things took flight rapidly. Mentor coach Bong Potentes immediately recommended Verano to USPF’s coach Jordan Paca after her graduation. Meanwhile, the chess player Saraum came face to face with the sport one rainy day at the Umapad Elementary School. The school’s team coach saw Saraum’s potential and asked her to join the screening. However, Saraum did not take it seriously though she kept playing around with the players. That made her join the team later. Saraum gave up the chess feats dream since she got lured with volleyball’s competition line ups, not to mention the long list of athletic events such as district/division and regional meets, and the Palarong Pambansa, to name a few.

According to the ladies, compared to individually-played sports, volleyball granted them tickets to meet equally fanatic volley enthusiasts. They get to tour around the country and see unfamiliar places. In volleyball, one gets to be encouraged by teammates from time to time, with less weight on the shoulder. The team play instilled in them discipline and camaraderie, aside from the fact that it spares them from getting into drugs and vices.

Before landing in Nestea’s national circuit, a series of competitions prepared them for their last hurrah. It was a blessing in disguise. It was a sweet victory for the team for winning the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) v-ball championship against USJ-R, followed by a challenging bout with West Leyte University during the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) competition which landed them as runner-up. Later on, the two bid farewell to their team to start competing in beach volley opens within the province – there was the Talisay Beach Volley Open Tournament, as well as that in Valencia, Dumaguete, where they were at arms length with Nestea’s previous champs and 2005 victors. They also ranked first! Their latest involvement was during the Cebu Volleyball Association’s (CEVA) San Remigio Beach Volley Open last May 1 but they only landed third. Shall I say that this latest defeat was enough motivation to polish attack techniques and skills, and setting the course with the help of Hall of Famer coach Thelma Datig?

Under coach Datig, these ladies were in serious military training. She got their patience stretched to its limits. They were all ears! Both confessed they got scolded every time they turned lousy and exhibit second-rate performances. Datig’s main mantra is to minimize errors, hence they adhered to that. “She’s (referring to Datig) naturally nice but when we slacken in our performance in the court, we always get a dose of our own medicine,” said Verano. Datig reminded the girls to give their opponents a hard time, making sure the rivals’ score will be hard-earned points. “Ma’am Datig told us that when we’re in the sand court, we should think that we’re queens…we walk and play with confidence, and rule the court,” enthused Verano. They always have equal shares of difficulties, especially when receiving a “float” serve. “Practice makes perfect,” a cliché but very true to these title-holders and everything paid off. Moreover, action coupled with faith is a powerful secret combo weapon they posses.

Beach volley is not just a power game but a mind game, as well. Despite having a sprained ankle (after acquiring it during the semis match against the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos), Verano managed to deliver an impressive performance alongside Saraum whose abilities compliment with that of Verano. The court dramas are worth recalling like Saraum’s tendency to break in tears in the middle of excruciating matches. Whenever she committed errors, fault after fault would make her lose heart, get rattled and frustrated. Yet Verano and Datig’s never-say-die-attitude kept her going.

And why did they win? “It is because of our will to win. At first, we did not pressure ourselves much to bring home the bacon but when we made it to the finals, we fixed our eyes on the prize. Adamson University was the strongest contender in the competition. We stayed focused and relaxed, as what Ma’am Datig kept on reminding us. We fought a good fight,” revealed Verano. “Hardwork and trust in each other’s ability,” added Saraum.

Both are scholars, struggling students, loving daughters to their parents and supportive sisters to their siblings. Volleyball carried them through financial difficulties, they said. Most importantly, thanks to volleyball, they earned an education. Though they occupy their time with practices, at the end of the day, their families and education are their main concerns. If a coaching opportunity comes after graduation, Verano and Saraum are not closing their doors.

Saraum was recently recognized by the City of Mandaue, specifically by Mayor Jonas Cortes, for her excellence in volleyball. Congrats!