A Fun-Filled Episode Four of Usapang PSL Features a Pair of Teams: The Recap

Last night's Episode Four of Usapang PSL had another loaded panel that involved two teams playing in the Philippine SuperLIga (PSL): the Marinerang Pilipina Lady Skippers and the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers. The episode was so loaded that it needed a pair of commercial breaks in between as the episode was mired by issues in the Internet connections of the guests. 

Episode Four featured another special co-moderator as Benny Benitez was joined in by veteran sportscaster in Noel Zarate who shared that even during the community quarantine that is brought about by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, was keeping himself busy by doing podcasts where he interview legends from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Zarate also shared that he's still doing voiceovers. 

The first hour of the episode featured the players and the coach of the Marinerang Pilipina Lady Skippers as Zarate was able to catch up with Lady Skippers Coach Villet Ponce-de Leon, team captain Ivy Remulla, Chiara Permentilal, and Coleen Bravo. The episode began with a discussion about how they were doing during the pandemic. Coach Villet Ponce-de Leon began by stating that she's doing house chores on top of making sure that her team is continuing their training regimes even during the ongoing pandemic. Chiara Permentilla, who sustained an injury last year, chimed in by saying that the pandemic was a "blessing" as it allowed injured players such as herself to focus on the road to recovery. Ivy Remulla, whom Zarate referred to as one of the best players in volleyball even at her age, was asked on how she is doing as a leader and according to the former De La Salle Lady Spiker, being a leader on a relatively new team in the PSL is happy as she encounters no headache thus far.  Remulla also pointed out there everyone has good and bad games and that, she's happy that "everybody is working hard". Both Coleen Bravo and Chiara Permentilla agreed that they've learned a lot from having Ivy Remulla as a team captain by saying that Remulla is responsible and that, the latter always reminds the players to "trust the process". Bravo was even asked by Zarate on the difference between playing in the collegiate ranks and in the PSL and according to Bravo herself, the main thing about playing in college is that that is the time when a player begins to gain confidence. In the professional leagues such as the PSL, Bravo noted that it's easier to jell with the teammates especially the veterans due to their experience in the game. 

In the second of the discussion, a see of orange-cladded team graced Usapang PSL as Zarate, together with Benitez, was able to catch up with the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers whose company has been one of the busiest companies during these trying times. Joining in the fun discussion were Coach Sherwin Meneses, Rhea Dimaculangan who played for the University of Santo Tomas in college, Angeli Araneta who played for the University of the Philippines during her collegiate career, and Kath Arado who was one of the players who suited up for the national team in last year's Southeast Asian Games here in the country. Meneses briefly shared how the team is training during the pandemic by saying that the team is regularly holding video conferences via Zoom to make sure that they are abiding by the training program. Meneses also shared that he is happy by the success that the men's volleyball national team achieved in last year's SEA Games where the men's team finished with a silver medal. The former Arellano and Adamson coach is also hoping that the government will allow volleyball leagues such as the PSL to resume team practices before the end of July as volleyball, as pointed out by many, is a non-contact sport. 

The discussion then revolved around the players, particularly Dimaculangan and Araneta who are both still recovering from their respective injuries. In fact, the injury that hit Dimaculangan prevented her from playing for the national team that failed to finish with a medal in last year's SEA Games. For now, Rhea Dimaculangan revealed that she's just continuing on doing strengthening drills. She also shared that she was both shocked but happy for the growth of women's volleyball in the country by saying that back in the old days, there were no professional leagues for women's volleyball, and then now, there's one like the PSL. Araneta chimed in by stating that she's 80% recovered from her injury and is also continuing on her training. Zarate then asked the players how volleyball should adapt to the new normal. Dimaculangan pointed out that it all boils down to consciously monitoring one's self every day to make sure that that person is healthy. She also emphasized the need to regularly take in of vitamins and other health supplements. For Arado, it's about the disinfection of the games' venue both before and after the games. Zarate also mentioned that the Lifesavers have in fact, played in a closed-door game before the PSL season went on a hiatus with Araneta even sharing that it's a different scene when you play without the yells of the fans and that's something the Philippine sports in general, will need to adjust to temporarily. 

Screenshot is from the Facebook page of Pinoyliga.com