Setter Mars Alba expressed her joy in finally representing the Philippines, despite Alas Pilipinas Women's straight-set loss to Japan’s Hisamitsu Springs.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans setter Mars Alba finally made her debut for Alas Pilipinas Women during first of two friendly matches against Japan’s Saga Hisamitsu Springs.
Alba was called on by coach Jorge De Brito to fill in the spot of star setter Jia de Guzman, who returned to her club team, Denso Airybees, in Japan.
[ALSO READ: Mars Alba helps Julia Coronel with playmaking duties for Alas Invitationals]
In her first match for Alas Women, Alba and the rest of the national team could not contain the Hisamitsu Springs, bowing in straight sets, 19-25, 16-25, 16-25, at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, September 7.
Due to various circumstances, it took some time before Alba finally got to play for Alas Women.
But this time, the former UAAP Finals MVP’s schedule finally aligned, allowing her to join the national team.
“In-invite ako before pa nung last conference [All-Filipino Conference] tas nag-decline ako kasi umuwi ‘yung brother ko and nung next na invitation na pangalawa, hindi na ako inallow kasi nag-start na ‘yung [Reinforced] conference. Etong pangatlo finally available, pinayagan na rin ako,” the 5-foot-6 setter explained to reporters after the match.
Alba also admitted not expecting to get an invite to play for Alas Women, especially after she wasn’t a natural setter to begin with.
In her early days with the DLSU Lady Spikers, Alba was initially a spiker or libero before coach Ramil de Jesus converted her to the setter role, in which she excelled at.
“Actually hindi ko ineexpect na makakakuha ako ng invitation from coach Jorge para sa national team kasi given na converted lang din talaga ako na setter, so hindi ko inexpect na makakarating ako sa ganitong point,” said Alba.
“Grateful ako na nabigyan ako ng opportunity na ganito na pangatlong beses ako naimbita ni coach Jorge,” she added.
Under Alas Women, Alba got to play alongside some of her former DLSU teammates in Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, and Julia Coronel, as well as her former F2 Logistics Cargo Movers teammate Dawn Macandili-Catindig and now-Choco Mucho teammates Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag.
[ALSO READ: Alas: Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jen Nierva ready to absorb lessons from facing SAGA Hisamitsu Springs]
Despite their defeat to Hisamitsu Springs, who finished the regular round of last year's V1 as the no. 3 seed, Alba is proud to finally don the Philippine jersey and is eager to bounce back in their rematch tomorrow.
“Masaya and iba ‘yung feeling na naglalaro ka for the Philippines,” Alba told reporters after the friendly match.
“Siguro learning experience din lalo na sakin. Marami pa kailangan i-improve talaga eh, so kailangan lang trabahuin and ‘yun sana maka-set or manalo tayo tomorrow,” she added.
Alas Women will face the Hisamitsu Springs again tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., still at the PhilSports Arena.