One of them gave the comebacking spiker some tough love.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers captain EJ Laure couldn't help but gush when asked about the return of former teammate and best friend Dimdim Pacres after they faced each other in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday.
The Crossovers swept new squad Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21, thanks to setter Jasmine Nabor's equal distribution.
But Pacres gave them some grief in the final set with her wily plays. She made 11 points from 11 attacks for Galeries Tower, improving on the four points she made in her conference debut.
"Actually, siya talaga 'yung nagpahirap sa 'min, mga drop ball niya," Laure told reporters after the match.
Laure had 15 points from 13 attacks, along with nine excellent digs and four excellent receptions.
Pacres, Laure's longtime teammate with the UST Growling Tigresses, recently admitted that she struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing depression and almost quitting volleyball.
That's why Laure was joyed to see her BFF on the court again.
"As teammate dati and best friend ko si Dimdim, happy ako sa kanya na nandito siya ulit sa PVL. Nalalaro na niya kung ano 'yung gusto niya, kung ano 'yung na-eexperience namin," she said.
Some tough love from her former UST coach Kungfu Reyes, who is now an assistant coach in the Crossovers, also helped Pacres return to the sport she loves.
"Alagaan 'yung sarili. In a way para at least 'di man naglalaro, at least mananalo ka 'dun na wala kang sakit," Reyes recounted his advice to Pacres.
"Siguro may anxiety, may depression dahil sa pandemic. 'Di naman natatapos buhay dun. Especially nung nag-start si PVL, walang kukuha sa'yo kung ganyan ka kalaki. So araw-arawin mo 'yung disiplina. Magpapayat ka, magbawas ka ng timbang," he added. "Nakinig siya. At least andito na ulit siya. 'Di lang talaga (agad) makukuha 'yung gusto mo, pero one step at a time."
While Reyes acknowledged that Pacres is not yet in ideal game shape, he admitted that she still got the mind for volleyball.
"'Yung instinct niya, yung determination na umiskor, mag-lead, 'di nawawala sa katawan niya," he said. "Andun pa talaga 'yung pagiging siya, 'yung pagiging Boom Pacres."
Chery Tiggo will next face the Akari Chargers on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Meanwhile, Galeries Tower will take on the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers on October 28 in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)
(PM)