They were teammates in high school and college under the National University volleyball program.
Playing together for years allows players to develop chemistry and get to know each other on a deeper level.
NU Lady Bulldogs superstar Bella Belen joined a recent Pilipinas Live fan stream, where the Creamline Cool Smashers and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers faced each other in the PVL Invitational Conference. In that guesting, Belen spoke about Joyme Cagande, her former NU teammate who is now a Crossover in the PVL.
The clip, which was uploaded on Instagram on Sunday, showed the UAAP Season 84 Rookie-MVP recalling her playing days with Cagande. And Belen took the opportunity to highlight Cagande's good traits.
“For me, ‘yung pagiging patient niya sa laro,” Belen said.
That patience seems to show in Cagande's demeanor. As a result, it also renders her with more authority.
“Kasi po nung nasa high school kami, si Ate Joyme tahimik lang po siya. Kapag training, madalang mo siyang maririnig magsalita pero once magsalita siya, talagang mapapakinig sa kanya lahat ng teammates ko,” Belen elaborated.
Bella and Joyme had been teammates since their days in NU Nazareth School all the way to college, where the Lady Bulldogs accomplished a masterful sweep of Season 84.
Cagande’s collegiate career, however, wasn't all roses. She got off to a rough start as she suffered an ACL injury in her first UAAP game.
Thankfully, she had what it took to come back, which to this day impresses Belen a great deal.
“Ang dami niya pong naging injuries. Hindi po siya nawalan ng hope na makakabalik talaga siya sa volleyball, and maayos,” the explosive outside hitter stated.
“Katulad po ngayon, I’m very happy po na starter si Ate Joyme and I think marami siyang maco-contribute sa [Chery Tiggo],” Belen stressed.
(GM)