This beauty pageant contestant still has a lot to offer.
What made Mary Joy Dacoron return to the PVL once again?
Thank you for that wonderful question.
Actually, the middle blocker wasn't supposed to don a volleyball jersey anymore.
"Biglaan lang talaga lahat. Super decided na ko not to play anymore, to pursue another career, especially after the beauty pageant," Dacoron told One Sports.
But it turned out that volleyball wasn't done with her.
"After ilang weeks playing every Sunday with my friends—aspirants talaga na mga bata—I realized na hindi pa pala tapos 'yung laban ko," she admitted.
Dacoron was part of the Cignal HD Spikers who won silver in the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference with import Tai Bierra.
From blocking shots in the middle of the court, she snapped a few shots strutting down the runway as
Miss Cebu for Binibining Pilipinas last May.
From wearing a yellow gown in Binibining Pilipinas, Dacoron now finds herself wearing a yellow jersey, among the other fierce queens of the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers—known for their power and swagger on and off the court.
"I feel like meron talagang para sa akin, suited ako para sa team nila," Dacoron said. "Kailangan 'yung service ko as a player. May mao-offer pa ko."
She feels she has also grown a lot with her time away from the court.
"'Di ako 'yung tipo na super nabu-burn out from college to the pros. Nakapag-break na ako. I'm so happy, I'm very excited to play again," she added.
But what can she bring to F2 Logistics, which reached third place in the First All-Filipino Conference under coach Regine Diego and remained in the top four with the addition of young stars like Jolina dela Cruz and Mars Alba?
Dacoron, who just turned 28 on Wednesday, believes her efforts with the team will bear fruit.
"Kung ano 'yung effort na ine-exert ko, nakikita ko naman sa team na fair naman sina coach," she said.
"The more effort na ginagawa mo, 'di mo siya makukuha ngayon, pero darating talaga 'yung panahon, makukuha mo kung ano 'yung kailangan para sa team. I feel sa hard work na ginagawa ko naman, meron talaga akong maiko-contribute sa team," she continued.
Dacoron knows she can do more. Not for world peace, not even for her own country's peace, but maybe for the squad of fierce women in yellow, she can help deliver the crown.
And I thank you!
The Cargo Movers will start the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday when they face the Akari Chargers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game will be aired live at 5 p.m. on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)