She has an extra reason to give it her all.
The Creamline Cool Smashers are reeling from plenty of changes for the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference, such as the transition from Jia de Guzman to Kyle Negrito, as well as seeing Ced Domingo and Kyla Atienza on the bench.
But when it comes to changes and losses, the Cool Smasher who felt it the most was likely libero Ella de Jesus.
On Monday, she shared an Instagram Story of her shoes with the date "October 7" and the initials "JDJ" written on it.
"Hope you're smiling from up there, daddy," she wrote.
Her father, Jose de Jesus, recently passed away, with the veteran spiker making a post on Instagram last October 7.
"I love you so much, my number one fan," she wrote.
De Jesus' Creamline teammates, led by the "Snack Friends," were quick to show their love and support on that day.
"Love you, tito. Love you besh," commented team captain Alyssa Valdez.
"Love you Ells 😭 and tito and tita and kuya and ate!" wrote Michele Gumabao.
"Ella Love uuuu! Dito lang kami! Big huuugs," wrote Risa Sato.
"We are here for you ate!" commented Domingo.
"Big huuugs love you ate" added Atienza.
"Mahigpit na yakap!" said Pau Soriano.
"Love you te els!" chimed Jeannette Panaga.
De Jesus' former Ateneo teammates like Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Jem Ferrer, Michelle Morente, and Amy Ahomiro also gave their support.
De Jesus' new lucky charm worked in their opening game in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference last Sunday, as she was instrumental in their win over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
For sure, her number one fan was loudly clapping from up there.
(PM)