THE Western Visayas secondary girls volleyball team’s championship in the PRISAA 2018 National Games was just a fitting sendoff for Ilongga star setter Marianne Sotomil as she was set to embark on a new chapter in her volleyball career.
The Pavia, Iloilo native admitted that, while she was having a difficult time parting ways with the WV team and Bacolod Tay Tung High School, she was looking forward to her move to University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the UAAP.
“My years with Tay Tung and playing for Western Visayas team are filled with memories worth treasuring. It is with my teammates that I found a home away from home,” Sotomil told Panay News.
“Pero ito na iyong point na kahit na hindi ko pa talagang gusto na iwanan sila I know I have to,” she said. “Not just on the court, but off the court, my teammates are like my sisters and our coaches are like our dads so it is hard to let go.”
Sotomil added: “As I move to a new nest, I hope na maka-adjust ako agad, and I’m looking forward talaga na ma-meet na ang aking new family. Happy ako and I know I made the right choice with UP. It is a dream come true.”
She admitted she was not the sporty type when she was a kid and just forced to play volleyball after figuring in a motorcycle accident when she was in Grade 5 in Iloilo.
“Napilitan lang,” said Sotomil. “But I learned how to love the sport because when I was still in Grade 5, I met an accident and the doctors said kailangan magka-muscle ka, iyong right leg ko. So sabi ng dad ko, mag-volleyball daw ako.”
Sotomil started her high school career with St. Joseph School in Iloilo before she was recruited by Tay Tung’s vice president for sports Jose Montalbo – a move that opened a lot of doors for her.
“When I was in junior high school (in St. Joseph), I was this typical student-athlete picturing myself playing in the different prestigious leagues in the country, but I was under-qualified. But I did not stop there,” she said.
“As I went to Bacolod Tay Tung High School, I was a step closer to what scares me. Opportunities kept banging and they even scared me – scared because I may not meet expectations. [I was] scared of criticisms,” she added.
“But I have brave soldiers behind me who are ready to back me up when things get rough,” she said. “I am just thankful to the people who believed in my capabilities and did not give up when I was at my worst.”
Now that she is about to start the journey to her dream of playing in the big league, Sotomil promised to give her best to make the Ilonggos and the whole Western Visayas proud.
“At UP, I will just play my game, try to upgrade what still needs to be improved. I know that it will not be a walk in park but I will do my best not just for my family and friends but also to make the Ilonggos proud,” Sotomil said./PN
